{{otheruses}}
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Armadillos
| image = armadillo.jpg
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = [[Nine-banded Armadillo]]
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| superordo = [[Xenarthra]]
| ordo = '''Cingulata'''
| ordo_authority = [[Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger|Illiger]], [[1811]]
|<!-- familia = '''Dasypodidae'''
| familia_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1821 [this should get own page; it is an awkward arranbement at present -->
|subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Families]]
|subdivision =
* [[Pampatheriidae]] (prehistoric)
* [[Glyptodontidae]] (prehistoric)
* '''Dasypodidae'''
}}

'''Armadillos''' are small [[placenta]]l [[mammal]]s, known for having a bony [[Armour (zoology)|armor]] shell. The '''Dasypodidae''' are the only surviving [[family (biology)|family]] in the [[order (biology)|order]] '''Cingulata'''. Until as recently as 1995, the family was placed in the order [[Xenarthra]], along with the [[anteater]]s and [[sloth]]s.

There are approximately ten [[Extant taxon|extant]] [[genus|genera]] and around twenty extant [[species]] of armadillo, some of which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armor. Their average length is about 75 [[centimeter]]s (30 in), including tail; the [[Giant Armadillo]] reaches roughly 90 cm (3 ft), while the [[Pink Fairy Armadillo]]s are diminutive species with an overall length of 12–15 cm (4–5 in). All species are native to the [[Americas]], where they inhabit a variety of environments. In the [[United States]], the sole resident armadillo is the [[Nine-banded Armadillo]] ''(Dasypus novemcinctus)'', which is most common in the central southernmost states, particularly [[Texas]]. Their range is as far east as Florida and as far north as Kansas, and while cold winters have slowed the expansion of their range (due to a lack of sufficient body fat), they have been consistently expanding their range over the last century due to a lack of natural predators and have been found as far as western Kentucky, and are expected to eventually reach into Ohio before the cold winters inhibit their expansion.

==Habitat and physiology==
Armadillos are prolific diggers. Many species use their sharp claws to dig for food, such as [[grub]]s, and to dig dens. The Nine-banded Armadillo prefers to build [[burrow]]s in moist soil near the creeks, streams, and [[arroyo (creek)|arroyos]] near which it lives and feeds. The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of [[insect]]s, grubs, and other [[invertebrate]]s. Some species, however, are almost entirely formicivorous (feeding mainly on ants).

Armadillos have poor vision but are not blind.

The armor is formed by plates of dermal bone covered in small, overlapping epidermal scales called "[[scute]]s". This armor-like skin appears to be the main defense of many armadillos, although most escape predators by fleeing (often into thorny patches, from which their armor protects them) or digging to safety. Only the [[South America]]n three-banded armadillos (''[[Tolypeutes]]'') rely heavily on their armor for protection. When threatened by a [[predator]], ''Tolypeutes'' species frequently roll up into a ball. (Other armadillo species cannot roll up because they have too many plates.) The North American Nine-banded Armadillo tends to jump straight in the air when surprised, and consequently often collides with the undercarriage or fenders of passing vehicles.<ref>http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/armadillo.html</ref>

Armadillos have short legs but can move quickly, and have the ability to remain underwater for as long as six minutes. Because of the density of its armor, an armadillo will sink in water unless it inflates its stomach with air (an ability unique among mammals which allows it to swim across narrow bodies of water), which often doubles its size.<ref>http://www.flex.net/~lonestar/armadillo.htm</ref>

Armadillos use their claws for digging and finding food, as well as for making their homes in burrows. They dig their burrows with their claws, only making a single corridor where they fit themselves.

==Classification==
'''Order CINGULATA'''
* †'''Family [[Pampatheriidae]]''': giant armadillos
** Genus †''[[Machlydotherium]]''
** Genus †''[[Kraglievichia]]''
** Genus †''[[Vassallia]]''
** Genus †''[[Plaina]]''
** Genus †''[[Scirrotherium]]''
** Genus †''[[Pampatherium]]''
** Genus †''[[Holmesina]]''
* †'''Family [[Glyptodontidae]]''': glyptodonts
** Genus †''[[Glyptodon]]''
** Genus †''[[Doedicurus]]''
** Genus †''[[Hoplophorus]]''
** Genus †''[[Panochthus]]''
** Genus †''[[Parapropalaehoplophorus]]''
** Genus †''[[Plaxhaplous]]''
* '''Family [[Dasypodidae]]''': armadillos
** Subfamily [[Dasypodinae]]
*** Genus ''[[Dasypus]]''
****[[Nine-banded Armadillo]] or Long-nosed Armadillo, ''Dasypus novemcinctus''
****[[Seven-banded Armadillo]], ''Dasypus septemcinctus''
****[[Southern Long-nosed Armadillo]], ''Dasypus hybridus''
****[[Llanos Long-nosed Armadillo]], ''Dasypus sabanicola''
****[[Great Long-nosed Armadillo]], ''Dasypus kappleri''
****[[Hairy Long-nosed Armadillo]], ''Dasypus pilosus''
****†[[Beautiful Armadillo]], ''Dasypus bellus''
** Subfamily [[Euphractinae]]
*** Genus ''[[Calyptophractus]]''
**** [[Greater Fairy Armadillo]], ''Calyptophractus retusus''
*** Genus ''[[Chaetophractus]]''
****[[Screaming Hairy Armadillo]], ''Chaetophractus vellerosus''
****[[Big Hairy Armadillo]], ''Chaetophractus villosus''
****[[Andean Hairy Armadillo]], ''Chaetophractus nationi''
***Genus †''[[Peltephilus]]''
**** Horned Armadillo, ''Peltephilus ferox''
[[Image:Guertelmaus-drawing.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Pink Fairy Armadillo]], ''Chlamyphorus truncatus'']]
*** Genus ''[[Chlamyphorus]]''
****[[Pink Fairy Armadillo]], ''Chlamyphorus truncatus''
*** Genus ''[[Euphractus]]''
****[[Six-banded Armadillo]], ''Euphractus sexcinctus''
*** Genus ''[[Zaedyus]]''
****[[Pichi]], ''Zaedyus pichiy''
** Subfamily [[Tolypeutinae]]
*** Genus ''[[Cabassous]]''
****[[Northern Naked-tailed Armadillo]], ''Cabassous centralis''
****[[Chacoan Naked-tailed Armadillo]], ''Cabassous chacoensis''
****[[Southern Naked-tailed Armadillo]], ''Cabassous unicinctus''
****[[Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo]], ''Cabassous tatouay''
*** Genus ''[[Priodontes]]''
****[[Giant Armadillo]], ''Priodontes maximus''
*** Genus ''[[Tolypeutes]]''
****[[Southern Three-banded Armadillo]], ''Tolypeutes matacus''
****[[Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo]], ''Tolypeutes tricinctus''

† indicates extinct taxon

==Armadillos and humans==
===In science===
Armadillos are often used in the study of [[leprosy]], since they, along with [[mangabey]] [[monkey]]s, [[rabbit]]s and [[Mouse|mice]] (on their footpads), are among the few known non-human animal species that can contract the disease systemically. They are particularly susceptible due to their unusually low body temperature, which is hospitable to the [[Mycobacterium leprae|leprosy bacterium]].

The [[Nine-banded Armadillo]] also serves science through its unusual reproductive system, in which four identical quadruplets (all the same sex) are born in each litter.<ref name="ufl">http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW082</ref> Because they are always identical, the group of four young provides a good subject for scientific, behavioral or medical tests that need consistent biological and genetic makeup in the test subjects. This phenomenon of multiple identical birth, called [[polyembryony]], only manifests in the genus ''[[Dasypus]]'' and not in all armadillos, as is commonly believed.

Armadillos (mainly ''Dasypus'') make common roadkill due to their habit of jumping to about [[fender (vehicle)|fender]] height when startled (such as by an oncoming car). Wildlife enthusiasts are using the northward march of the armadillo as an opportunity to educate others about the animals, which can be a burrowing nuisance to homeowners, cemetery caretakers and golf course superintendents.<ref name="ufl"/>

===In popular culture===

''Armadillo'' is [[Spanish language|Spanish]] for "little armored one", referring to their outer skin that looks like armor. During the [[Great Depression]], this species was known as "Hoover Hog" by down-on-their luck Americans who had to eat them instead of the "chicken in every pot" [[Herbert Hoover]] had promised as President.<ref name="hbot"/> Earlier, German settlers in [[Texas]] would often refer to the armadillo as ''Panzerschwein'' ("armored pig").

The Nine-banded Armadillo was, with some resistance, made the state small mammal of Texas,<ref>http://www.shgresources.com/tx/symbols/smallmammal/</ref> where it is considered a pest and is often seen dead on the roadside. They first forayed into Texas across the [[Rio Grande]] from Mexico in the 1800s, eventually spreading across the southeast United States.<ref name="hbot">{{Handbook of Texas|id=AA/tca2|name=Armadillo}}</ref>

[[Northwestern University]] holds an annual music festival entitled [[Dillo Day]], named after the armadillo, on the Saturday before [[Memorial Day]].

In the film ''[[Necessary Roughness (film)|Necessary Roughness]]'', the school mascot for the fictional university used, is the Texas State Armadillos.

In the [[United Kingdom]] the armadillo ("smooth on the inside, crunchy on the outside") featured prominently in a television commercial for the [[Dime Bar]] chocolate bar.

In an episode of ''[[Friends]]'', [[Ross Gellar|Ross]] is unable to get a [[Santa]] costume to celebrate the [[Christmas]] holiday with his son, so instead he hires the last remaining costume: an Armadillo costume, and dons the name "Holiday Armadillo".

[[The Clash]] video "[[Rock the Casbah]]" filmed in [[Austin, Texas]] features an armadillo strolling down the streets.

The [[charango]] is a musical instrument traditionally made with an armadillo shell.

In the Showtime show [[Dexter (TV series)|Dexter]], in the episode 'The Dark Defender', Dexter uses a broomstick to get an armadillo out of his girlfriend Rita's house in Miami.

There is a digimon called [[Armadillomon]], who is introduced in the second season of [[Digimon: Digital Monsters]].

[[Mighty the Armadillo]] is a character in the games [[SegaSonic the Hedgehog]] and [[Knuckles Chaotix]], as well as in the Archie Comics.

Armadillos are an enemy species in [[Donkey Kong Country]].

A stuffed armadillo is given as a gift in, and appears on the cover of, ''A Prayer for Owen Meany'', a novel by American writer John Irving, first published in 1989.

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
*{{MSW3 Gardner|pages=94-99}}

==External links==
*[http://seabed.nationalgeographic.com/splat_ngx_pathfinder/templates/output/articles/gallery.tmpl?DB_NUM_PARAMS=2&DB_PARAM_0=0503&DB_PARAM_1=2 Photographs of armadillo rolling into a ball]
*[http://www.msu.edu/~nixonjos/armadillo/ Armadillo Online!]

{{wikispecies}}
{{commons}}
{{mammals}}

[[Category:Armadillos]]
[[Category:Hairless mammals]]

[[bg:Броненосци]]
[[ca:Armadillo]]
[[da:Bæltedyr]]
[[de:Gürteltiere]]
[[el:Αρμαντίλλο]]
[[es:Dasypodidae]]
[[eo:Dazipo]]
[[fa:آرماديلو]]
[[fr:Tatou]]
[[gd:Armadillo]]
[[io:Armadilo]]
[[id:Armadillo]]
[[it:Dasypodidae]]
[[he:ארמדיליים]]
[[la:Dasypodidae]]
[[lt:Šarvuotiniai]]
[[hu:Övesállatok]]
[[nah:Āyōtōchtli]]
[[nl:Gordeldieren]]
[[ja:アルマジロ]]
[[no:Beltedyr]]
[[pl:Pancerniki]]
[[pt:Tatu]]
[[qu:Khirkinchu]]
[[ru:Броненосцы]]
[[simple:Armadillo]]
[[fi:Vyötiäiset]]
[[sv:Bältdjur]]
[[th:อาร์มาดิลโล]]
[[tr:Armadillo]]
[[uk:Броненосці]]
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