Armadillos are small placental mammals that have leathery armored shells.
There are about 20 extant species of armadillo, and there are native to the Americas, where they live in many types of environments.
Armadillos can swim, despite what has been commonly reported elsewhere.
The bony plates that protect an armadillo weigh it down, but it can still maintain buoyancy for short distances by gulping air to inflate its intestines.
That said, it often prefers to cross small waterways by simply crawling along underwater.
Armadillos love to dig, and many species use their sharp claws to dig for food, and to dig dens.
Related Posts
-
Can Sheep Swim, How Do They Learn How To Swim, and Which Other Mammals Can Swim?
Sheep can swim, but only in dire circumstances. The ability is basically instinctive, and a life-saving device. They don't go swimming every day, but in case of flooding, or falling into a river,…
-
Can rattlesnakes swim and can snakes swim underwater?
Rattlesnakes are good swimmers, though they are not in a class with species that spend all or most of their lives in water or even with the familiar garter snake. From anecdotal accounts,…
-
Where Do Armadillos Live?
Although native to the Americas, Armadillos can be found in the central southernmost states, particularly Texas. Right now, there are hundreds of thousands of these animals in the State of Florida. Most of…
-
What Do Armadillos Eat and What Does Armadillo Poop Look Like?
Armadillos are very good diggers, and use their sharp claws to dig for food, which is is mostly insects, grubs, and other invertebrates. Some Armadillos prefer to build burrows near creeks and streams,…
-
Are Armadillos Poisonous and Are Armadillo Bites Painful?
To a bug or snail, armadillo bites are painful and deadly most of the time. However, to anything bigger like humans, armadillo bites aren't really painful, unless you're a wuss. Armadillos aren't poisonous…
-
Why Are Armadillos the Most Common Roadkill In the United States When They Have Armor To Protect Them?
Armadillos are small placental mammals that can be found throughout the Americas. Unfortunately, most of the armadillo's defenses are completely unsuitable for dealing with cars. One of its strategies is to roll up…
