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Dasypodidae:
Armadillos are small placental mammals of the family Dasypodidae, known for having a bony armor shell. Their average length is about 75 centimeters (30 inches), including tail. All species are native to the Americas, where they inhabit a variety of environments. In the United States, the sole resident armadillo is the Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), which is most common in the central southern states, particularly Texas. Dasypodidae is the only surviving family in the order Cingulata. Until as recently as 1995, the family was placed in the order Xenarthra, along with the anteaters and sloths. There are several species of Armadillo, some of which are distinguished by the number of bands on their armor. |
