Tolypeutes

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Tolypeutes
SouthernThreeBandedArmadillo065b.jpg
Southern three-banded armadillo
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Cingulata
Family: Chlamyphoridae
Subfamily: Tolypeutinae
Genus: Tolypeutes
Illiger, 1811
Type species
Tolypeutes tricinctus
Species

See text

The genus Tolypeutes contains the two species of three-banded armadillos. They are restricted to open and semi-open habitats in South America.

Of the several armadillo genera, only Tolypeutes rely heavily on their armor for protection. When threatened by a predator, Tolypeutes species frequently roll up into a ball. Other armadillo species cannot roll up because they have too many plates.

Species[]

There are two recognized species:[1]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Tierpark Chemnitz - Südliches Kugelgürteltier-8556.jpg Tolypeutes matacus (Desmarest, 1804) Southern three-banded armadillo northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia
Dasypodidae - Tolypeutes tricinctus.JPG Tolypeutes tricinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) Brazilian three-banded armadillo Brazil

References[]

  1. ^ "Tolypeutes". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 17 March 2011.

External links[]

  • Video of a three-banded armadillo rolling itself into a ball


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