An armadillo with its mouth open, resting on a log, displaying its distinctive armored shell and textured skin.

Six-banded armadillo

You can find our pair of female six-banded armadillos - mother and daughter duo Gromit and Lula - in our Wonders of the Wild exhibit.

ArmadilloEuphractus sexcinctus

  • Class:

    Mammalia

  • Order:

    Cingulata

  • Family:

    Chlamyphoridae

About the six-banded armadillo

Six-banded armadillos are native to South America, and although they can live in a range of different habitats, from grasslands to rainforest, they are mostly found in areas of open plains.

As versatile omnivores, their diet mostly consists of fruits, leaves and roots, however they also supplement their diet with insects and small invertebrates.

Conservation

In the wild, the six-banded armadillo faces significant pressure from humans. Often labelled a crop pest, they are frequently persecuted by farmers and hunted locally for both their meat and their unique armoured shells.

Interesting facts