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Tolypeutes

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Family
  
Chlamyphoridae

Mass
  
59 kg (Adult)

Phylum
  
Chordata

Order
  
Cingulata

Scientific name
  
Tolypeutes

Length
  
1.5 m (Adult)

Higher classification
  
Dasypodidae

Tolypeutes calphotosberkeleyeduimgs512x768000000000106

Genus
  
Tolypeutes Illiger, 1811

Lifespan
  
15 years (Adult, In the wild)

Lower classifications
  
Brazilian three‑banded armadillo, Southern three‑banded armadillo

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

Contents

Tolypeutes Tolypeutes matacus Southern threebanded armadillo

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.

Tolypeutes A Threebanded Armadillo Tolypeutes Photograph by Joel Sartore

Tolypeutes matacus 2


Species

There are two recognized species:

  • Tolypeutes matacus (Desmarest, 1804) – Southern three-banded armadillo
  • Tolypeutes tricinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) – Brazilian three-banded armadillo

  • Tolypeutes Minden Pictures stock photos Brazilian Threebanded Armadillo

    Tolypeutes Tolypeutes tricinctus Brazilian Threebanded Armadillo

    Tolypeutes FileTolypeutes matacus Naturhistorisches Museum Wien Ausschnitt

    References

    Tolypeutes Wikipedia