Mammals · Cingulata · Chlamyphoridae

Southern Three-banded Armadillo

Tolypeutes matacus

Near Threatened

It could become endangered in the near future if current threats go unchecked. See full glossary

The southern three-banded armadillo — known in Spanish as armadillo bola sureño or tatú bolita — is one of only two armadillos in the world able to roll into a perfect sphere. Its head and tail plates fit together like a lid to close the ball completely, leaving the body protected with no opening at all. Since it does not need to dig for shelter, its claws are less developed than in other armadillos and it walks on the tips of its front nails. It eats mainly ants and termites, and is diurnal in winter and more crepuscular in summer.

Weight

1 kg – 1.6 kg

Size

22 cm – 27 cm

Lifespan

15 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Moderate

SavannaDesertGrasslandOmnivore Diurnal Solitary Near Threatened Savanna Desert Grassland Mammal

4countries 9parks4same family

Fun facts

It is one of only two armadillos that roll into a closed ball: the rest, despite popular belief, can only hunker down or run for a burrow.
It walks on the tips of its front nails, with the palms lifted, which gives it a very characteristic tiptoeing gait and leaves unmistakable tracks.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton with a carapace of dermal plates (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Chaco thorn forest, cerrado and dry scrub of central and southern South America
Sexual maturity: 10.5 months
Gestation / incubation: 3.9 months
Litter / clutch size: 1

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tolypeutes_matacus