File:Nine-banded armadillo walking in grass - DPLA - c59dd33590fb924230201618b7189c11.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Xenarthra; Family: Dasypodidae; Genus: Dasypus; Genus species: Dasypus novemcinctus. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 45-50 cm; Weight: 3-7 kg; Identification: The carapace of the nine-banded armadillo usually has nine bands, but can have anywhere from seven to eleven. It also has a painted head and sharp claws; Habitat: Arid grasslands, semi deserts; Diet: Carnivore: insects, spiders, small reptiles, amphibians, eggs; Reproduction: Mating takes place in July or August. Implantation of the fertilized egg, however, is delayed until November. Gestation then takes 120 days. Four same-sex offspring are born and are completely identical - they all came from the same fertilized egg; Social Structure: A single burrow may be shared by several armadillos; Behavior: Armadillos are nocturnal. They do not curl up into a ball when threatened, as is often portrayed. Rather, they wedge themselves into a burrow with their hard carapace facing out; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: This is the most common and widespread armadillo species.