Becky Jones, age 11, of Denton, Tex., for her question:
HOW LARGE WILL AN ARMADILLO GROW?
Armadillo is a Spanish name meaning "the little armored one" and it refers to the bony covering of the mammal called armadillo. There are 10 different kinds of armadillos living from southern United States to southern South America. One kind, the giant armadillo, grows to be about three feet long.
The nine banded armadillo is the only kind in the United States. This armadillo is about two feet long, including its tail, and weighs up to 15 pounds.
The dwarf armadillo grows to be only six inches long. This tiny creature lives in South America.
The upper parts of armadillos are covered with bony shells. These include one on the head and two solid pieces on the back connected by a flexible center section made up of various numbers of bands. Some of the animals get their names from the number of bands. The nine banded armadillo is one of these.
The tails, in all but the soft tailed armadillo, are completely covered by armor. The number and shape of the scutes, or pieces of bone in the armor, vary with the species.
An armadillo's teeth are simple pegs without enamel. Most of the animals have just one set with no milk or baby teeth growing first. Because of their teeth, they eat soft food such as ants, termites, larvae, grubs and bugs. Some are said to also eat dead animals.
To find food, an armadillo must root about in leaves and soft ground or dig for it. Because of this, most of them have long, strong claws and powerful forearms. They also use these to dig their burrows or dig into the ground to escape from enemies. An armadillo can dig faster than a dog.
The three banded armadillo can roll completely into a ball as a means of protection. Its shell is much heavier than that of the others and its arms are not developed for digging.
The female armadillo usually gives birth to four babies at a time, always of the same sex. The nine banded armadillo, however, sometimes gives birth to as many as eight babies, more than any of the other armadillos.
The dwarf armadillo's rump is covered with a solid shell with a notch at the base for the tail. This is broadened and flattened at the end and is kept curled beneath its body.
The pinchy armadillo of Patagonia in South America has a thin shell covered with long black hair. It cannot run fast and is said to hibernate in winter.
The seven banded, eight banded and nine banded armadillos have long, narrow bodies. The six banded and hairy armadillos are flat and have heavier bodies than the others.
One additional interesting fact about the three banned armadillo: its front legs are so much shorter than the hind legs that it walks on the tips of its long front claws.