Description

The largest of the armadillos, the giant armadillo has a body length of 3 feet and a weight of up to 130 pounds. Aside from its large size, it is distinguished from other armadillos by its enlarged central claw and its abundance of teeth, up to a hundred. Both sexes are similar in size and coloration.

Distribution and Habitat

The giant armadillo is found from southeastern Venezuela and the Guianas through northeastern Brazil, Paraguay and the extreme north of Argentina. It lives in a diverse range of habitats, usually in areas with a large termite population.

Habits and Behaviors

The giant armadillo is nocturnal. It typically lives alone, only associating with others to mate. Like other armadillos, the giant armadillo digs a burrow in which to spend its day, normally locating it near a termite mound.

Reproduction

The breeding interval of the giant armadillo in the wild is not known, nor is its breeding season. Those in captivity bear an average of one or two young per litter, after a gestation period of about four months. Young are able to take care of themselves after four to six months, and reach sexual maturity at about nine to twelve months of age.

Diet

Giant armadillos have a much more specialized diet than do other armadillos, feeding almost exclusively on termites and certain species of ants. A giant armadillo will roam throughout its range in search of termite mounds and/or ant hills in which to burrow. Once one has been found it will completely eradicate it before moving on.

Scientific Classification

Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Mammalia
Order Edentata
Family Dasypodidae
Subfamily Dasypodinae
Genus and Species Priodontes maximus

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