The greater naked-tailed armadillo’s most distinctive feature is its bare, scaly tail, which is almost entirely devoid of hair—hence the name “naked-tailed.” This tail, covered in small overlapping plates, functions as a brace and anchor when digging, helping the armadillo stabilize itself as it tears through compact soil. Its carapace, or armor shell, is made of bony plates called scutes arranged in transverse bands, usually 12 or 13 movable ones, allowing flexibility while still offering protection. The coloration ranges from grayish-brown to yellowish-tan, blending perfectly with the earth.

Beneath the shell, sparse coarse hairs poke through, particularly along the sides and belly. Its snout is short and blunt, while its forelimbs are extremely powerful, ending in long, curved claws—particularly the massive third claw, which acts like a miniature shovel. These physical traits make it one of the most efficient diggers among all armadillos.

The greater naked-tailed armadillo is solitary, nocturnal, and fossorial—meaning it spends most of its life underground. It is an insect-eater, with a diet composed mainly of ants and termites, along with their eggs and larvae. Using its acute sense of smell, it locates insect colonies, digs them out with astonishing speed, and uses its long, sticky tongue to lap up its prey. Its short snout and strong jaws are specialized for this task.

Unlike some armadillos that forage in open areas, this species prefers forests, grasslands, and even farmlands with soft soil, where it can dig extensive burrow systems. These burrows can reach over 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length and lead to a nesting chamber lined with dry vegetation. When not feeding, the armadillo rests in these burrows, which also serve as protection from predators and extreme temperatures.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Argentina

2024

Corrientes, Misiones

Brazil

2024

Paraguay

2024

Uruguay

2024