Tolypeutes
Encyclopedia
The genus Tolypeutes contains the two species of three-banded armadillo
s. They are restricted to South America
, mostly Brazil
.
Armadillo
Armadillos are New World placental mammals, known for having a leathery armor shell. Dasypodidae is the only surviving family in the order Cingulata, part of the superorder Xenarthra along with the anteaters and sloths. The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one"...
s. They are restricted to South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, mostly Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
Species
There are two recognized species:- Tolypeutes matacus (Desmarest, 1804) – Southern Three-banded ArmadilloSouthern Three-banded ArmadilloThe Southern Three-banded Armadillo , also called the La Plata Three-Banded Armadillo, is an armadillo species from South America...
- Tolypeutes tricinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) – Brazilian Three-banded ArmadilloBrazilian Three-banded ArmadilloThe Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo is an armadillo species endemic to Brazil. It is one of only two species of armadillo that can roll into a ball...