![]() It is believed that the two existing species of three-banded armadillos, Tolypeutes are the only ones among the twenty extant armadillo species that do not dig their own burrows. can comprise the least fossorial of all living armadillo species, but they can no longer be classified as non-diggers. In addition, this information contributes not only to the study of the ecology and natural history of the species, but can shed new light on the study of the anatomy of specialized diggers. The newly acquired knowledge that species of Tolypeutes dig burrows can be used to increase the well-being of individuals kept in captivity by adapting enclosures to enable their digging behavior. We are confident that the burrows used for resting were indeed dug by Tolypeutes because, besides the direct observation of armadillos digging burrows, the measures of the burrows are very distinctive from those presented as characteristic for the co-occurring burrowing species and are congruent with Tolypeutes size and carapace shape. The habit of covering the burrow entrance with foliage and the burrow's reduced depth, indicates that Tolypeutes use of burrows is more likely to be related to parental care behavior and thermoregulation strategies than to defense mechanisms. matacus used shelter strategies that require less energetic effort more frequently than adults and nurslings. Due to their smaller body size, sub-adult T. That can be explained by the fact that adult females with offspring tend to remain for consecutive nights in the same burrow when cubs are recently born. matacus reused shelters in higher frequency. matacus always shared shelter with an adult female therefore, both used shelters with similar frequency. matacus never used burrows dug by other species. Tolypeutes tricinctus occasionally used burrows dug by Euphractus sexcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758), but T. Tolypeutes tricinctus rested mainly in burrows and under leaf-litter, but did not dig depressions or build nests. Adult females reused burrows and other types of shelter more frequently than adult males. matacus reused the shelters more frequently (66%), than sub-adults (46%) and adults (35%). matacus used shallow depressions and nests more often (40%) than adults (22%) and nurslings (10%). matacus did not differ in frequency of use of different types of shelter. matacus were found primarily in small burrows (76%), straw nests (13%), shallow depressions covered with leaf-litter (7%) or in straw nests made on shallow depressions (4%). tricinctus in semi-captivity in the Northeast of Brazil. matacus in two locations in Central Brazil and individuals of T. We have studied free-ranging individuals of T. ![]() We describe the burrows and three other types of shelters used by them, and provide measurements and frequency of use of the different types of shelter. Here, we show that Tolypeutes matacus (Desmarest, 1804) and Tolypeutes tricinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) dig their own burrows. After 72 days they no longer depend on their mother.It is believed that the two species of Tolypeutes Illiger, 1811are the only armadillos that do not dig their own burrows, and that these species simply re-use burrows dug by other species. ![]() The single young are born blind but quickly develop the ability to close their shells and walk. November - January are when most young are born, but births have been reported throughout the year. Reproduction:Īt 9-12 months of age the southern three banded armadillo reaches sexual maturity. They do not dig burrows of their own but use burrows abandoned by other animals, or they make their dens under dense vegetation. Three-banded armadillos are usually solitary but occasionally come together during cold weather and breeding season. This shell is also a good insulator and reduces heat loss, so that the three-banded armadillo can stay active during extremely cold winter weather. In this position it is protected from an attack by most enemies, although a large predator like a jaguar may be capable of cracking the shell. The three-banded armadillo is the only armadillo that can completely close its shell around its entire body.
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