Armadillos can look back upon a long history of evolution. Their predecessor, the Glyptodon or great armadillo, reached the size of a rhinoceros.
In our days, armadillos only reach lengths of 1.5 m.
They live in open, sandy areas and are occasionally seen close to forests. They keep to themselves and only form small groups during the mating season. They are nocturnal animals just like the tapirs. During the day they hide in specially dug burrows.
Armadillos are not very picky in their food choice. Insects, worms, snails as well as carrion and, if there is nothing else around, even roots and seeds are part of their menu.
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