. The popular natural history . Zoology. ARMADILLO.—(Dasypus sexcinctus.) on the shoulders, and the third on the hind-quarters. These plates are con- nected by a series of bony rings, variable in number, overlapping each other, and permitting the animal to move freely. The common ARMADILLO, or PoYOU, is about twenty inches in total length, the tail occupying some six or seven inches. It is very common in Par g lay, but is not easily captured, owing to its remarkable agility, per- severance, and wariness. En- cumbered as it appears to be with its load of plate-armour, it runs with such speed th
. The popular natural history . Zoology. ARMADILLO.—(Dasypus sexcinctus.) on the shoulders, and the third on the hind-quarters. These plates are con- nected by a series of bony rings, variable in number, overlapping each other, and permitting the animal to move freely. The common ARMADILLO, or PoYOU, is about twenty inches in total length, the tail occupying some six or seven inches. It is very common in Par g lay, but is not easily captured, owing to its remarkable agility, per- severance, and wariness. En- cumbered as it appears to be with its load of plate-armour, it runs with such speed that it can hardly be overtaken by a quick- footed man, and if it should con- trive to reach its burrow, it can never be got out except by dint of hard work. The food of the Armadillo is nearly as varied as that of the swine, for there are few eatable substances, whether vegetable or animal, which the Armadillo will not devour, provided they are not too hard for its little teeth. Various roots, potatoes, and maize are among its articles of vegetable diet, and it also will eat eggs, worms, msects, and small reptiles of every description. Whenever wild cattle are slain, the Arma- dillo is sure to make its appearance in a short time, for the pur- pose of devouring the offal which the hunter leaves on the ground. It is not at all parti- cular in taste, and de- vours the half-putrid remains with great eagerness, becoming quite fat on the revolt- ing diet. As the Armadillo is a nocturnal animal, its eyes are more fitted for the dark than for the bright glare of sun- light, which dazzles the creature and sadly be- ^'W/i wilders it. If it should tamanoir, or ant bear.—{Myrmecophapa juiata.) be detected on the surface of the ground, and its retreat intercepted before it can regain its hole, the Armadillo rolls itself up as best it can, and, tucking its head under the chest, draws in its legs and awaits the result. Even when taken in hand it is not without a last resource, for it kicks
Size: 1612px × 1549px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
