Dasypodidae

Dasypodidae is a family of armored placental mammals in the order Cingulata, commonly known as armadillos. The group includes about 20 living species across several genera, such as Dasypus, Chaetophractus, Euphractus, Priodontes, and Zaedyus. They are native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central America and most of South America, with greatest diversity in tropical regions. A distinctive feature is a protective armor of osteoderms covered by skin.

Armadillos have a rigid carapace formed from bony osteoderms and a flexible midsection, a long snout, strong digging claws, and a short tail. The armor provides defense against predators and helps conceal in burrows. Body sizes vary widely by species, from small, mouse-sized forms to large giants like the giant armadillo. They are typically terrestrial and fossorial, spending substantial time digging and foraging underground.

Ecology and reproduction: Armadillos are mainly insectivorous or omnivorous, feeding on ants, termites, beetles, other invertebrates, and some plant matter. They forage by digging with their claws. Reproduction varies among species; in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) the gestation is about 120 days and births a litter of four, a result of polyembryony that can yield genetically identical quadruplets.

Conservation: Most species are of least concern, but several are threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and road mortality. Distribution and population trends are uneven across regions, with some areas experiencing declines due to agricultural expansion. Armadillos are often studied for their ecological roles in soil aeration and insect population control.