Twenty-One Living Species
There are 21 recognized living species of armadillo, all native to the Americas. They range enormously in size, from the tiny pink fairy armadillo, which measures around six inches long, to the giant armadillo, which can reach nearly five feet including its tail and weigh over 100 pounds.
The Nine-Banded Armadillo's Wide Range
The nine-banded armadillo is by far the most widespread species and the only one found in the United States. Its range has expanded significantly over the past century, moving north from Texas and Mexico into much of the southeastern and central United States, aided by a mild climate and few natural predators.
Species Built for Different Habitats
Different species have adapted to very different environments. The screaming hairy armadillo tolerates the cold, arid grasslands of Patagonia, while the giant armadillo favors dense rainforest and can dig burrows large enough for a person to enter. The pink fairy armadillo, the smallest and rarest species, lives almost entirely underground in the sandy plains of central Argentina.
Several Species Face Serious Threats
While the nine-banded armadillo remains common, several other species are considered vulnerable or endangered, including the giant armadillo and the pink fairy armadillo, both of which are threatened by habitat loss and, in some regions, hunting.
