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Habitat of Giant Armadillos

The largest type of armadillo, the giant armadillo is native the continent of South America. Making its home in the grasslands and jungles east of the Andes mountains, the giant armadillo eats mostly insects, favoring termites. Listed as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the biggest threat to the giant armadillo is loss of habitat.

Armadillo Facts
- In Spanish, the word "armadillo" means "little armored one," as armadillos are the only living mammal to feature bony, hard plates that cover its body like a shell. There are 20 different types of armadillos, varying greatly in size and color. The smallest armadillo only grows to about 6 inches in length, and the giant armadillo grows to about 5 feet. While the giant armadillo is usually brown, other types can be black, red, gray, pink or yellow.
Habitat
- Giant armadillos can live in jungles or grasslands.
  
  Giant armadillos can be found throughout most of northern South America, from Venezuela to northern Argentina. Giant armadillos have been seen living in the rain forest, on the savanna, on the Brazilian floodplains, and in woodlands. These animals have outstanding range, and have even been observed at altitudes as high as 500 meters above sea level. Living in self-made burrows, giant armadillos usually build their homes in close proximity to water and food sources.
Diet
- The banded armadillo is the one most commonly seen in the U.S.
  
  The giant armadillo survives on a diet consisting mostly of termites and ants, and occasionally worms and carrion. Voracious eaters, giant armadillos will seek out termite mounds, and then eat until the mound is completely wiped out. Giant armadillos rely on both their large size and large front claws to burrow through the mound in search of every last tasty termite.
A Threatened Species
- Armadillos are frequently victims of cars running over them due to their poor eyesight. This has earned them the unfortunate nickname "the hillbilly speed bump."
  
  While Giant Armadillos have been seen all over South America, their population numbers are low and they are considered "vulnerable" by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Though they are sometimes hunted for food or killed by farmers who perceive them as a nuisance, the giant armadillo's biggest threat comes from deforestation and the destruction of their habitat. Some scientists believe that the population has dwindled by as much as 50 percent in the last ten years.

Animals & Science