Our Armadillos
The only armadillos that roll into a perfect ball
About Our Three-Banded Armadillos
Our three-banded armadillos are truly unique - they're the only armadillo species in the world that can roll into a complete, tight ball! Native to South America, these adorable armored mammals use this amazing defense to protect their soft underbelly from predators.
Weighing just 2-3.5 pounds and measuring 8-11 inches long, three-banded armadillos are smaller and rounder than other armadillo species. Their three movable bands give them the flexibility to curl up completely, with their head and tail fitting together like puzzle pieces.
In the wild, these gentle creatures primarily eat ants and termites, using their excellent sense of smell to locate food. Here at the farm, they enjoy a specialized insectivore diet! Unlike other armadillos, they don't dig their own burrows - they prefer to use abandoned ones. Watch them explore, forage, and maybe even demonstrate their famous ball-rolling ability!
About Our Screaming Hairy Armadillos
Our screaming hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus vellerosus) are a completely different species from our three-banded armadillos, and they get their name honestly: when they feel threatened they let out a loud, squealing call. They cannot roll into a ball the way our three-banded armadillos can, so that squeal and a fast escape are their defence instead.
They are also the hairiest armadillo species, with coarse bristles growing between and through the plates of their shell. Native to the dry scrubland of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay, they are powerful diggers that can bury themselves in loose soil in a matter of seconds.
Built to Dig
Heavy front claws and a low, wedge-shaped body let them disappear into the ground far faster than you would expect from an animal wearing armour.
Desert Water Savers
They can go long stretches without drinking, taking most of the moisture they need from the insects and plants they eat.
Shift Workers
They forage at night through the hot months and switch to daytime in winter, following whichever temperature suits them best.
Where to Meet Them
Our screaming hairy armadillos are part of the Ambassador Animals Experience, and may also appear if you choose Armadillos Up Close on Pick Your Ambassador. See their full page.
Fun Three-Banded Armadillo Facts
Only armadillo that rolls into a ball
Three-banded armadillos are the only species that can curl into a complete, tight ball for protection!
Head and tail fit like a puzzle
When rolled up, their head and tail interlock perfectly, leaving no gaps for predators to exploit.
Compact and adorable
Weighing just 2-3.5 pounds and 8-11 inches long, they're much smaller than other armadillo species!
Don't dig their own burrows
Unlike other armadillos, three-banded armadillos prefer to use burrows abandoned by other animals.
Ant and termite specialists
In the wild, they use their long, sticky tongue to lap up ants and termites. Here on the farm, they enjoy a specialized insectivore diet!
Can live 15-20 years
With proper care, these fascinating armored mammals make long-lived animal ambassadors!
Photo Gallery
Visit Our Armadillos
Come meet these adorable armored mammals and watch them roll into a ball!