Armadillos 01

The Nine-Banded Armadillo, (Dasypus novemcinctus), is found in the United States, primarily in the south central states (mainly in Texas), but with a range that extends as far east as South Carolina, Florida and as far north as Nebraska. They have been consistently expanding their range in North America over the last century due to a lack of natural predators such as wolves and mountain lions, and have been found as far north as southern Illinois. 

Also, armadillos species are primarily found in South and Central America, particularly in Paraguay and surrounding areas. Many Armadillo species are endangered today. Some species groups, such as the nine-banded armadillo (aka long-nosed armadillo), are widely distributed throughout North and South America, whereas others, such as the fairy armadillos, are concentrated in smaller ranges in South America only. 

The nine-banded armadillo is a solitary and mainly nocturnal animal, which can be found during day time occasionally. It can be found in many different habitats, from dry scrubs to grassland and throughout the rain forests. Armadillos are insectivorous animals, feeding mainly on smaller invertebrates. They forage for meals by thrusting their snouts into loose soil and leaf litter and frantically digging in erratic patterns, stopping occasionally to dig up worms, grubs, beetles termites and ants which will be detected by their sensitive noses. They simply lap up the insects with their sticky tongues. Armadillos have been known to supplement their diets with small amphibians and reptiles, fungi and even carrion.