# Nine-banded Armadillo (*Dasypus novemcinctus*)

> The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a bony-plated mammal of the Americas that can jump vertically when startled. Adults weigh about 4 kg, spread north into the US, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Southern US through Central America into South America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/nine-banded-armadillo/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Cingulata
- **Family:** Dasypodidae
- **Genus:** Dasypus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Dasypus novemcinctus |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Forest, scrub, and grassland |
| Lifespan | 7–12 years |
| Weight | 3–5 kg |
| Top speed | up to 48 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Plated digger of the night

Overlapping bony plates protect the back; flexible bands let the animal curl partway but not into a full ball. Strong claws excavate soil for insects and burrows.

## Ants, grubs, and carrion

Ants, beetle larvae, and other soil invertebrates are located by smell and dug out. Carrion and small vertebrates are eaten opportunistically.

## Southern US to Argentina

Expanded north through Texas and the Gulf states in the twentieth century. Forest, scrub, and lawns with sandy soil suit burrowing.

## Leprosy host and roadkill

Least Concern and spreading. They are a natural reservoir for Mycobacterium leprae in some regions and suffer heavy vehicle mortality due to jumping reflex when alarmed.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can nine-banded armadillos roll into a ball?

No — unlike three-banded species, they only curl partially; the name refers to nine flexible bands on the shell.

### Why do armadillos jump when scared?

A vertical leap can launch them into vehicle undercarriages — a fatal reflex on roads.

### Do armadillos carry leprosy?

Some populations harbour the bacteria; human infection is rare and linked to close contact, not casual sightings.

### How many babies do armadillos have?

Litters are typically identical quadruplets from a single fertilised egg.

### Are armadillos spreading north in the US?

Yes — warming winters helped them expand into states where they were once absent.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/nine-banded-armadillo/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.