Species · GBIF taxon 2440816
Big Hairy Armadillo
Chaetophractus villosusAlso known as Peludo, Large Hairy Armadillo
Big hairy armadillos are robust, armor-plated diggers distinguished by the coarse, bristly hairs protruding from the joints in their protective shells. They are highly adaptable omnivores, actively foraging for insects, small vertebrates, and even carrion by bulldozing through loose soil with their powerful forelimbs. During cold winter months, they shift their activity from nocturnal to diurnal to maximize warmth.
NocturnalBurrowingMammal
Licensed referenceno rights reserved, uploaded by Diego Carús · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetle larvae
- Scorpions
- Small rodents
Predators
- Pumas
- Maned wolves
- Domestic dogs
ThreatsHunting, vehicle collisions, domestic dogs, and agricultural persecution
HabitatsGrasslands, savannahs, forests, and agricultural fields
Life span15 to 20 years in captivity; less in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDasypodidae
- SpeciesChaetophractus villosus
Native
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Equipped with powerful digging claws; observe from a distance and do not attempt to handle.
- Why it is dangerous
- Possesses exceptionally strong, sharp claws used for rapid digging that can cause deep lacerations if the animal is cornered or handled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a flattened, brownish-gray carapace with prominent coarse hairs fringing the edges and bands.
- What to do
- Never attempt to grab or pull an armadillo from its burrow; give it space to retreat.
Responsible observation
- Listen for rustling: They make significant noise while foraging through dry leaf litter and brush.
- Look for dig sites: Freshly excavated conical holes in the dirt indicate active foraging nearby.
- Keep dogs leashed: Domestic dogs frequently harass these animals, forcing them into defensive postures.
Close Relative "Screaming Hairy Armadillo" by tr.robinson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "six-banded armadillo" by Gonzalo Rodriguez is licensed under CC BY 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. · cc-by
Distant Relative "Nine-banded Armadillo" by leppyone is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Co-occurring Relative "Pink Fairy Armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)" by Cliff is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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