Three-banded Armadillo Tolypeutes matacus/ Tolypeutes tricinctus

There are two species of Three-banded Armadillo, the Brazilian, endemic to Brazil (T. tricinctus) and the Southern (T. matacus) from southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. They look similar with similar habits. The Southern Three-banded is shown here.

Like all armadillos, its topside is covered in bony plates for protection. The two 3-banded species are the only two which can roll up completely in a ball for protection. They are nocturnal and mainly eat ants/termites and other insects with their sticky tongue but will eat some vegetation.

Both species are at risk from destruction of habitat and hunting for meat or the pet trade.