![]() Nine-banded armadillos maintain a low body temperature, usually ranging from 30° to 35° C. Males weigh slightly more than females: the average male weighs 5.5 to 7.7 kg, while the average female weighs 3.6 to 6.0 kg. ( Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982 Macdonald, 1984 Stangle, 1994) Nine-banded armadillos have long, sticky tongues, which they use in foraging for insects. Their teeth do not have enamal, and they continue to grow throughout the animal's lifetime. They have distinct teeth, which are v-shaped, small and peg-like. Nine-banded armadillos have short legs with 4 toes on the forefoot and 5 toes on the hindfoot all toes have strong claws, and the middle claws are largest of all. ( Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982 Stangle, 1994) The face, neck, and underside are covered in small clusters of hair. The long snout is much softer and pinkish in color, appearing almost pig-like with it narrow, tapered shape. ![]() The underside also lacks any armored protection and is of a paler color, generally appearing slightly yellow. Instead, ears are hairless and covered in a rough, bumpy skin. The head of a nine-banded armadillo is covered in these bony/keratinous scales, but their ears are not. ( Chapman and Feldhamer, 1982 Macdonald, 1984 Stangle, 1994 Wilson and Ruff, 1999) The tail averages about 0.3 m in length and is covered by 12 to 15 rings of scales. Scales grow continuously and wear, but are never fully shed. Each band is separated by a thin layer of skin and hairs. Typically, nine-banded armadillos have 9 visible bands, but this number may vary from 8 to 11. The armor comprises about 16% of body weight and is divided into three main areas of coverage on the body: a pelvic shield, a shield on the shoulder region, and the characteristic bands of the back. ![]() The scales are typically rectangular or pentagonal in shape and are developed later than the rest of the skeleton. These scales (osteoderms) provide a hard but flexible covering. Like many other armadillos, nine-banded armadillos are covered by an outer body armor made up of bony plates covered in a leathery keratinous skin. ![]()
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