The Flickr Euphractussexcinctus Image Generatr

Without a doubt my favourite animal at Jimmy's Farm and Wildlife Park is the Armadillo! Armadillo is Spanish for 'little armoured ones'!
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The Six-banded Armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus) is the third largest species of armadillo in the world. On average, an adult measures 40cm long and has a tail two-thirds this length. They are distinguished by their pointed and flattened heads, which are covered by large plates arranged in a distinctive pattern. Their body consists of 6 moveable bands (hence their name), which are covered with thin grey-brown hair.

Six-banded armadillos have very poor eyesight, relying on their keen sense of smell to detect prey and predators. The six-banded armadillo is mostly diurnal so they are active during the day. Unlike other species of armadillo, the six-banded armadillo cannot roll into a ball, so they avoid their predators by fleeing into a nearby burrow, they are fantastic diggers!

Six-banded armadillos are found throughout Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay in South America. They can be found in various habitats, from grassland to rainforest, but they are mainly found on open plains.

Euphractus sexcinctus

One of the pair of Jimmy's Farm Six-banded Armadillo kicking up some dust on a fast lap round it's enclosure! They came to Jimmy's Farm from Longleat Safari Park. They are talented diggers and sleep in burrows at night.

Six-banded or Yellow Armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus) possess limited eyesight and heavily depend on their acute sense of smell to locate both prey and potential threats. Unlike the majority of armadillo species, they exhibit diurnal behaviour, remaining active during the daytime.

The armadillo’s distinctive armour consists of overlapping bone plates covered by keratin scales. However, unlike other armadillo species, the Six-banded Armadillo lacks the ability to roll into a protective ball. Instead, they rely on evasive tactics by swiftly seeking refuge in nearby burrows to avoid encounters with predators.

The native home of the Six-banded Armadillo is South America. They can be found throughout Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname and Uruguay, in different habitats, ranging from grassland to rainforest, but they are mainly found on open plains. They are omnivores. The majority of their diet is made up of plants such as fruit, leaves and roots, but they will also eat insects and small invertebrates.

Six-banded Armadillos are hunted in large numbers for their meat and persecuted as crop pests in agricultural areas. They are also hunted for medicinal use. Local folklore believes that placing an armadillo tail in the ear of a deaf person will cure them. Armadillo shells are used to make a traditional instrument called a Charango, which is a bit like a small guitar.