Armadillo

mammals · armor · Americas

Built-in armor. Armadillos have a tough, bony shell covering their backs that protects them like a knight's suit of armor.

Counting bands. Some armadillos are named for the number of bands on their armor, like the three-banded and nine-banded armadillos.

Famous family. Armadillos are related to anteaters and sloths, all part of a group called Xenarthra.

American natives. All 21 known species of armadillo live in the Americas, in many different habitats.