Why Do Armadillos Wear Armor?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do armadillos wear armor?

The Big Idea

An armadillo wears armor because it gives the animal a shield on its back! Bony plates covered with tough skin protect its back, head, and tail. The plates are joined in bands so the armadillo can still bend and walk.

Bony Plates

Step one: build the shield. Bony plates in the skin are covered with tough, hard scales. Together they form a shield on the back, head, and tail.

Bands Bend

Step two: add joints. The plates are joined by bands that let the armadillo bend and walk. It can also dig fast with its strong claws.

Run or Roll

Step three: escape. When a predator comes, most armadillos run to a burrow, and a few can roll into a ball. Armor is heavy, so armadillos are slow runners.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Bony plates make a hard shield. Bands between them let the body bend. Many armadillos hurry into a burrow. Only a few can roll into a ball.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Only the three-banded armadillo can roll into a complete ball. The nine-banded armadillo is the kind that lives in the United States. Armadillos mostly eat insects, which they find by smell. Watch wild animals from a safe distance, and ask a grown-up first.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Tape strips of cardboard in overlapping rows onto a long strip of paper. Bend it and see how the joints let it curl. Now picture the plates as one solid piece. What would happen if it could not bend?

Outro

Armor protects an armadillo, and bands let it move. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!