The hairy armadillo in this clip has plenty to say for himself. His name is Rambo, and he is a much-loved family pet. As you can see in this adorable Instagram post, Rambo has forged a strong bond with his human companions. Read on to find out more about these fascinating creatures.
All About Hairy Armadillos
As you would expect from their name, hairy armadillos (Chaetophractus villosus) have hair! They have a horny carapace (shell) consisting of bands and plates protecting their shoulders, back, and the sides of their body. Their heads are also protected by a hard plate. The plate has around 18 bands, of which seven or eight are movable, allowing the armadillo to roll up into a ball when threatened. Their average weight is around 4.5 pounds, and they can grow up to around 15.5 inches in length.
These armadillos have more hair than other armadillo species. It is white or light brown and sticks out of the scutes on their shell and covers their limbs and belly. The hair has an important purpose. It acts as insulation and helps to keep the armadillo warm. It also helps with tactile sensing. The hairs function like whiskers, helping the armadillo sense its surroundings.
Screaming Hairy Armadillos
Hairy armadillos live in desert environments.
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The other notable feature of this creature is its unmistakable scream. If you have never heard one, take a look at the clip! In the wild, these animals have a native range from northern Paraguay and southern Bolivia to central Argentina and into parts of Chile, reaching as far south as Santa Cruz, Argentina, and Magallanes, Chile. They inhabit open, semidesert environments where they are hunted by canines, birds, and humans.
When an armadillo experiences physical distress, often due to a predator, it emits a distinctive call. Researchers have studied these calls in detail. Studies have shown that the ‘weeping call’ of the screaming hairy armadillo is a harsh, loud, broadband, and prolonged sound. Additionally, scientists identified five types of notes in the call: crying, inhaled, inhaled sobbing, exhaled sobbing, and grunt notes.
Further evidence that this is a distress call comes from hunters, who report that armadillos make the noise when trapped by dogs, but not when they are undisturbed. The pet owner also confirms that Rambo only made this noise when he first arrived and was more distressed. Now, he loves his home with his human companions and is very happy.
