Hoplomys

Hoplomys is a genus of armadillos in the family Dasypodidae, found in tropical regions of northern and western South America.

Taxonomy: Hoplomys is part of the order Cingulata in the family Dasypodidae, with close relatives including other armadillo genera such as Dasypus and Tolypeutes.

Physical description: Members of Hoplomys have a low, elongated body covered by a flexible carapace composed of arched bony osteoderms; they have an elongated snout and strong forelimbs with large claws used for digging.

Habitat and distribution: They inhabit tropical forests, savannas, and open woodlands in northern and western South America, with occurrences in the Amazon Basin region.

Diet and behavior: They are primarily ground-dwelling and nocturnal or crepuscular; their diet consists mainly of insects and other invertebrates, supplemented by plant matter.

Reproduction and conservation: Specific reproductive biology is not extensively documented; armadillos in this genus are presumed to be viviparous like other armadillos. Some populations are affected by habitat loss and fragmentation; conservation status varies among species.