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Armadillo
Meet the Armadillo
Armadillo - Boundaries. We learn from the armadillo, which, by rolling into a ball, can be completely armored against attack, how to consciously define our own emotional and physical boundaries. Armadillos are prolific diggers, and many species use their sharp claws to dig for food such as grubs, and to dig dens. The Nine-banded Armadillo prefers to build burrows in moist soil near the creeks, streams and arroyos near which it lives and feeds. The diet of different armadillo species varies, but consists mainly of insects, grubs and other invertebrates. Some species, however, are almost entirely formicivorous (feeding mainly on ants). Armadillos have poor vision but are not blind. They have a very keen sense of smell, being able to smell an insect up to 6" underground. The armor is formed by plates of dermal bone covered in small, overlapping epidermal scales called "scutes". This armor-like skin appears to be the main defense of many armadillos, although most escape predators by fleeing or digging to safety. Armadillos have short legs but can move quickly, and have the ability to remain underwater for as long as six minutes. Only the South American three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes) rely heavily on their armor for protection. When threatened by a predator, Tolypeutes species frequently roll up into a ball. Other armadillo species cannot roll up because they have too many plates. The North American Nine-banded Armadillo tends to jump straight in the air when surprised, and consequently often collides with the undercarriage of passing vehicles.
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