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the ant hoover
a nine banded armadillo is doing his job in our garden. Unlike that you might think, they get a move on and they don't like to pose for photos. it is a good idea to try this after sunset, like this photo was taken.
Don't do what I did though :) I plunged on my belly in the grass, right into an anthill that he had missed. I couldn't get up till I had 3 shots, could I!
The nine-banded armadillo is a mammal found in North, Central, and South America, making it the most widespread of the armadillos. The nine-banded armadillo is a solitary, mainly nocturnal animal, found in many kinds of habitats, from mature and secondary rainforests to grassland and dry scrub.
Similar species: Armadillos
By Annette Flottwell
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Uploaded Dec 3, 2015. Captured Sep 28, 2015 17:35 in Libano - Javilla, Costa Rica.
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"The Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a timid, armored mammal that is found in South, Central, and North America. Their armor consists of bony plates that are covered in a leathery, keratinous skin, which provide the armadillo with protection and flexibility. While they are considered scavengers, they have a predilection for bugs and grubs and use their long, sticky tongues to capture delectable insects. Their appearance makes them look like they would be slow and clumsy. But, they actually have unexpected athletic prowess. These quirky creatures are excellent runners, jumpers, and swimmers. They can even walk underwater and hold their breath for up to 6 minutes. Or, when faced with a waterway, if they aren't in the mood for walking or swimming, they can simply float across the water. To be efficient floaters, they gulp air into their stomachs and intestines, which makes them super buoyant. As for jumping, they can jump 3-4 feet straight up in the air when startled! Unfortunately, their amazing jumping skills often leads to their demise on highways. They are small enough that cars can pass right over them, but the armadillos get startled by the cars, and then they leap up, and get hit by the vehicle. Despite being hit by cars, the range of the nine-banded armadillo is expanding due to human activities: people have killed off the armadillo's natural predators and have made it easier for them to travel long distances thanks to the abundance of roadways. {Spotted in Costa Rica by JungleDragon user, Annette Flottwell} #JungleDragon" Posted 6 years ago