Nine-banded armadillo

A unique xenarthran mammal (family Dasypodidae) ranging from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Adults weigh 2.5–6.5 kg with a head-body length of 38–58 cm plus a 26–53 cm tail. They are encased in a distinctive "armor" of bony dermal plates (osteoderms) covered with keratinous skin, arranged in nine flexible bands across the midsection. They have a long, pointed snout, large ears, and powerful clawed forelimbs for digging. Nearly blind, they rely on smell to locate food. They are insectivorous, eating ants, termites, beetles, and other invertebrates excavated from soil. Their most remarkable reproductive feature is obligate monozygotic polyembryony—every pregnancy produces genetically identical quadruplets from a single fertilized egg, making them invaluable for genetic and immunological research. They are one of few non-human animals naturally susceptible to Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy), serving as the primary animal model for Hansen's disease. They can walk underwater across river bottoms or inflate their intestines for buoyancy. Gestation: ~4 months plus 3–4 months delayed implantation. Lifespan: 12–15 years. 2n=64.