The Nine-Banded Armadillo

Dasypus novemcinctus

The Nine Banded Armadillo is the only member of its family found in North America. Its shell is made up of nine narrow bands of tough armor-like tissue which slide over each other. This allows the Armadillo, when threatened and unable to retreat, to roll itself up into a tight, hard ball. Since Armadillos have only a few teeth far back in their mouths, this behavior is their only means of defense. Very few animals can succeed in getting a good enough grip on a balled-up armadillo to expose their vulnerable heads and undersides.
Armadillos are burrowing animals with strong claws which they use for digging tunnels. They eat worms, insects, spiders and land snails, using their long, narrow tongues to lick them up. Interestingly enough, these animals are also carriers of the Leprosy virus. Female armadillos give birth to four babies at a time... all of the same sex. Neat, huh?