Armadillo

(ar-ma-dil'lo,) or TATOU. (Zool.) An eden tate animal, fam. Effodientia, of which there are several species,all inhabiting S. America. They are covered with a bony case (Fig.43), and most of the species have long tails similarly protected. They are burrowing animals, with nocturnal habits, Fig. 43. -NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO. feeding chiefly on vegetables. Their flesh affords excellent food. The nine-banded A. (Dasypus novemcinctus), of Texas to Paraguay, is 18 inches lon gto the tail. [s. 47]