novemcinctus

Novemcinctus refers to Dasypus novemcinctus, the nine-banded armadillo. The Latin name novemcinctus means “nine-banded.” It is a member of the family Dasypodidae, in the order Cingulata, and was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758.

The nine-banded armadillo has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from the southern United States (notably Texas and parts of neighboring states) through Central America to northern Argentina. It occupies diverse habitats, including grasslands, deciduous forests, wetlands, and agricultural areas, often favoring warm, soft soils suitable for digging burrows. The species is adaptable and capable of living in human-modified landscapes.

Physically, the animal is characterized by a leathery armor of bony scutes covering the back, head, and limbs. Color typically ranges from gray to brown. It reaches lengths up to about 60 cm (including the tail) and a body mass that commonly lies in the low to mid-range for armadillos. It has a relatively small head, a long snout, poor eyesight, and a strong sense of smell. Behaviorally, it is primarily nocturnal or crepuscular and tends to be solitary, using powerful forelimbs to dig extensive burrows for shelter and foraging.

Dietarily, the nine-banded armadillo is omnivorous, feeding on insects, larvae, small vertebrates, and plant matter. Reproduction is notable for litters of four offspring that are genetically identical, produced when a single fertilized egg splits into four embryos. Gestation is about 120 days, with births occurring in favorable seasons in temperate areas.

Conservation-wise, the species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and large populations. It can impact agricultural areas through digging and is also known as a reservoir for Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes Hansen’s disease, though human transmission is rare.