Screaming Hairy Armadillo

---

*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Screaming hairy armadillos are covered in a thick armor, also known as a carapace, which is made of bony plates called scutes. Their carapace is made of 18 bands, and between six to eight of these bands are movable. Long white and light brown hairs protrude from between a screaming hairy armadillo’s scutes and cover their limbs and stomach.

Range & Habitat

Screaming hairy armadillos are native to sand dunes, savannas, pastures, and other dry habitats in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. They generally prefer a dry habitat with loose, sandy soil that they can burrow in.

At the Virginia Zoo, screaming hairy armadillos can be found in the yellow barn in the ZooFarm or behind-the-scenes, serving as an Animal Ambassador.

Behavior

Screaming hairy armadillos curl up into a ball to protect their soft belly when threatened and squeal to fend off predators.

These armadillos are primarily solitary and spend most of their time in their burrow.

Diet

Screaming hairy armadillos are omnivores. They mostly eat plants, insects, and small vertebrates such as frogs, toads, lizards, birds, and rodents. These armadillos’ diets vary seasonally, with insects in the beetle family being their primary food source in the summer months. Plant material, especially seed pods from mesquite trees, are these armadillos’ primary food source in the winter.

Conservation

Screaming hairy armadillos are threatened by population fragmentation and isolation as a result of mining activity, roads and vehicles, and public perception of this species as an agricultural pest. This species is also hunted by humans throughout their natural range.

Fun Facts

• Screaming hairy armadillos have highly efficient kidneys which allow them to go extended periods of time without consuming water. Their water most often comes from the moisture within the plants they eat.
• Screaming hairy armadillos in the wild oftentimes eat a lot of sand with their food. Scientists have found that up to 50% of a screaming hairy armadillo’s stomach contents may be filled with sand.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Males: Squeaker (Animal Ambassador, born: 6/18/2010)

Females: Olivia (born: 4/26/2017) & Dora (Animal Ambassador, born: 4/26/2017)