Giant Armadillo
Priodontes maximus
MAKUSHI NAME: Mauraimî
CREOLE NAME: Yesi, Yaci
SIZE: body=90 cm; tail=50 cm; weight=30 kg
DESCRIPTION: Very large. Carapace (bony shell) greyish edged yellow, underparts pinkish, not fully covered by shell. Very large legs and feet with massive claws on front foot. Tail covered with pentagonal scales. Unmistakable.
ACTIVITY: Nocturnal; terrestrial and subterranean.
HABITS: Solitary. Dens in the daytime in burrows, often dug into termite mounds. This huge armadillo feeds by digging into the nests of ants and termites, ramming the nest and moving its legs like a jackhammer. If disturbed it may sit up on its haunches to sniff the air.
HABITAT: Rainforest and savannah.
SIGNS: Front track with massive claw mark well spaced from toe pad. Huge burrow has a semicircular entrance about 45 cm wide; extensive damage to termite or ant nests indicates recent activity.
STATUS: Rare throughout most of its range. Listed by CITES as Vulnerable.
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