Pink Fairy Armadillo

The Pink Fairy Armadillos (Chlamyphorus truncatus and C. retusus) or Pichiciego is species of armadillo. These small mammals of the family Dasypodidae are mostly known for having a bony armor shell. The Pink Fairy Armadillos are the smallest of the armadillos (about 3-1/2″ to 4-1/2″ long excluding the tail). Their color is pale rose or pink in color. They are found in central Argentina. They inhabit dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cacti.

Members of this species burrow small holes near ant colonies in dry dirt. They feed mainly on ants and ant larvae near where they burrow. Sometimes eating on worms, snails, other insects and larvae, or various plant and root material.

Since 1970 Pink Fairy Armadillos have been listed as an endangered species. This is primarily due to destruction of its habitat resulting from the spread of farmland, towns, and cities. The animals are now rare. Since they are nocturnal, are rarely spotted. There are no organized efforts to preserve the species.

Pink Fairy Armadillo

comments powered by Disqus