Andean hairy armadillo  (Chaetophractus nationi)

Armadillos are one of the oldest groups of mammals. Once thought to be closely related to turtles because of their tough protective carapaces, zoologists now classify them in the mammalian order Xenarthra with anteaters and sloths (4). The Spanish named them ‘armadillo’ which means ‘little plated one’, referring to the armour-like covering over much of the body (5). Even the top of the head bears dark plates like a helmet, and the thin tail has a hardened covering. Unlike other armadillos, members of the Chaetophractus genus have light brown hair between the chinks of the armoured scales as well as on its legs and underside (2). These animals are well adapted for digging and foraging in the undergrowth and have short legs, long powerful claws, and pointed snouts (2). Colour varies from light brown to a dull yellow, with males and females looking similar in appearance, though males are generally larger (5).

Occurs in Bolivia and northern Chile (1).

Chaetophractus nationi lives exclusively in open high-altitude grasslands (2).

This species is nocturnal in summer when the days are hot, and active during the day in winter. It is territorial with reported home ranges of about 3.4 hectares (2). Like other armadillos it uses its powerful claws to dig burrows and can have up to 20 burrows within its home range which are each 1.5-3 metres long (5). Andean hairy armadillos use these burrows to live in, rear offpsring and to escape from predators (4).

This fascinating animal forages by moving slowly along with the nose in the soil and leaf litter, then digging up material with the fore-claws once food has been sniffed out (4). It has a highly developed sense of smell and feeds on insects, vegetable matter and fruits, birds eggs and even small vertebrates such as snakes and small lizards (4). An armadillo will often dig beneath a decomposing carcass to find a feast of maggots and insects. They have even been known to jump on snakes to kill them with their sharp armour plates (2). Another interesting behaviour of this armadillo is its ability to cross ponds and creeks. It either gulps air until it becomes buoyant and paddles across the water, or sinks to the bottom and strolls across, postponing its next breath until it reaches the other side (5).

This species, like other armadillos, is relatively solitary except during the breeding season of the summer months (5). Courtship involves the male following the female avidly, and mating occurs with the male mounting the female from behind. Male armadillos have one of the longest penises amongst mammals, extending to two-thirds of the body length (4). The gestation time is 2 months, and there may be multiple litters per year. The female usually gives birth to two young in a burrow. They are born with pink soft bodies and are weaned at 50 - 60 days, when their carapace is developed (2). Individuals live for up to 16 years (2).

The hard outer covering of the Andean hairy armadillo is good protection from predators, but humans can easily catch and kill them (2). They are hunted and traded for food and their shell, and are also persecuted for their disruptive burrowing on agricultural land (1). Habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural development is also an increasing threat (4).

International trade of the Andean hairy armadillo is forbidden by its listing on Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) (3). It is hoped that this measure will reduce its trade and therefore the extent to which it is hunted. There are no conservation measures in place to protect this fascinating animal in its natural habitat, however, and habitat loss is expected to continue as Peru and Bolivia become more populated and developed (4).

For more information on armadillos see,
Walker’s mammals of the world.
http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/xenarthra/xenarthra.dasypodidae.chaetophractus.html

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