Pink Fairy Armadillo

Quick Take

• This armadillo's shell isn't for protection. It serves a completely different purpose that no other armadillo shares. Shell's true purpose →
• Over 95% of captured pink fairy armadillos don't survive the week, and the reason why is stranger than you'd expect. Captivity survival crisis →
• It's nicknamed 'the sand swimmer,' and once you learn how it moves underground, the name makes perfect sense. Burrowing speed facts →
• This creature has survived for over 60 million years, yet today its population is plummeting for a surprisingly modern reason. 60 million year history →

Also known as the Pichiciego, the pink fairy armadillo is the smallest known species of armadillo. It lives in the sandy plains and dry grasslands of central Argentina. Unique adaptations like an aerodynamic body shape, smooth dorsal shell, and sharp claws let this creature bury itself in the sand in seconds and then navigate underground with ease. Similar to a mole, the pink fairy armadillo spends the vast majority of its life underground. It is also nocturnal, only emerging occasionally at night to find food.

4 Amazing Pink Fairy Armadillo Facts

• It pumps blood through its shell to regulate body temperature.
• At about 5 to 5.9 inches (13 to 15 cm) long, it is so small it can fit in your hand.
• It is also known as ‘the sand swimmer’ because of how quickly and easily it can navigate underground.
• The only armadillo species whose dorsal shell is not completely attached to its body.

Evolution

While not much is known about the history of the pink fairy armadillo because of their rare and elusive nature, it is known that the armadillo species originated in South America, where it is thought to have had an ancient relative dating back more than 60 million years, although the first actual armadillo-type animal is believed to have evolved around 32 million years ago. This mammal was able to make its way to Central and North America when the continents combined. It is believed that this smallest species was the result of adaptations to environmental changes paired with a subterranean lifestyle.

Classification and Scientific Name

The Pink Fairy Armadillo’s scientific name is Chlamyphorus truncatus. The animal is also known as ‘the sand swimmer’ because of its uncanny ability to burrow and navigate underground. The animal is named for the uniquely pink color of its protective armor. The first known published description of the pink fairy armadillo was by Richard Harlan in 1825. 

Types Of

There are only two known living species of the fairy armadillo: the pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus) and the greater fairy armadillo (Calyptophractus retusus). Because they have a shared common ancestry, the greater fairy armadillo, also known as the chacoan armadillo, has similar traits and characteristics. They are both thought to be extremely elusive and rare, and sightings are few and far between.

Appearance And Behavior

At only 3.5 ounces (100 g) and approximately 6 inches (15 cm) in length, the pink fairy armadillo is the smallest armadillo species. It is extremely elusive, spending most of its life beneath the ground. It is also nocturnal, only emerging at night to gather food. Similar to other fossorial species, the pink fairy has claws on its front legs used for digging, a fusiform body shape, and minimal eye size. It also has a carapace (protective shell). Its shell of armor is light pink in color and contains 24 total bands. The shell forms a blunt end due to an extra vertical plate at the end of the shell. In total, this mammal has 32 teeth. These are all the same shape and have no enamel.

Unlike other armadillo species, the pink fairy armadillo has no visible ears and an additional large plate on the back of its head. Uniquely, the fairy armadillo’s shell is not primarily used for protection. Instead, the main function is for thermoregulation. The armadillo can flush the blood vessels in its shell (hence the pink color) and adjust its body temperature. If the armadillo exposes more of its blood to the cool air, it can lower its temperature. Conversely, draining the shell allows the animal to better retain heat. Their shell is also not entirely attached to their body. A thin membrane runs along the creature’s spinal column for attachment.

Due to their low basal metabolic rates, pink fairy armadillos have a low body temperature and a high thermal conductance. Their metabolic rate is up to 60 percent lower than what is generally expected for a mammal of that body mass. This allows them to better maintain their body temperature while in their burrow. Smaller creatures generally have a tougher time retaining body heat due to their higher surface-area-to-volume ratio. This is why larger animals tend to live in colder environments while smaller animals are more often found in desert environments.

Habitat

Pink fairy armadillos can be found in the deserts and dry scrublands of central Argentina and other parts of South America. Found primarily in the Neotropical regions of Mendoza, Buenos Aires, San Luis, La Pampa, and San Juan, the pink fairy armadillo’s geographic range is limited to eastern areas because of heavy rainfall in other regions. Because they tunnel only 6 inches below the surface, even modest rainfall can result in flooded burrows. Due to climate change and adverse conditions, it is predicted that the current population is low. The animal has been found from 4,921 feet (1,500 m) in elevation all the way down to sea level.

Diet

The pink fairy armadillo is an omnivore whose diet mainly consists of ants, but occasionally also includes snails, plant matter, and worms. The creature often builds complex tunnel systems in close proximity to ant hills, and primarily emerges to gather food during the nighttime.

Predators & Threats

The most common predators of pink fairy armadillos are domestic dogs and cats. Because the armored shell on the animal’s back offers minimal protection, the creature often retreats underground as a primary defense mechanism. Humans can be deadly to the pink fairy armadillo in a number of ways. The animal often falls prey to vehicles while attempting to cross a road. Also, if a pink fairy armadillo is taken in as a pet, it will likely become overwhelmed with stress and be unable to adapt to the artificial diet provided to it. It is estimated that more than 95 percent of pink fairy armadillos that fall into captivity die within eight days of being captured. Because pink fairy armadillos tunnel so close to the surface, converting their natural habitats to farmland or grazing areas for cattle can damage their tunnel systems quickly.

According to available research, the pink fairy armadillo population continues to decrease, resulting in the species being listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN due to limited information.

Reproduction, Babies, And Lifespan

The pink fairy armadillo leads a solitary life except during mating. A female generally gives birth to a single young during a mating cycle. The baby armadillo’s shell is soft at birth and will only become entirely hardened once it has grown into an adult.

The males have no external testicles, and the females have two nipples. When mating, males will monitor the female and approach her. The male will then touch the female’s dorsal area, which results in the female wagging her tail. The male will then sniff the female and remain in close proximity.

There have been no long-term studies conducted on the pink fairy armadillo lifespan. In captivity, the longest lifespan noted has been four years. Most of these animals die only a few days after being taken in. Younger pink fairy armadillos have the lowest chance of survival in captivity, while adult females have the best chance of survival.