“TATU-BOLA” - Brazilian three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) - is an armadillo species endemic to Brazil. It is one of only two species of armadillo (the other is the southern three-banded armadillo) that can roll into a ball. “TATU-BOLA” lives primarily in open savannahs and dry woodlands, where low rainfall and poor soil limit the vegetation to tall, woody grasses, scattered bushes, and gnarled trees. As its name suggests, “TATU-BOLA” is indigenous to Brazil, living primarily in the eastern part of the country, just south of the equator. The main staples of its diet are ants and termites, which it can smell through up to eight inches (20 cm) of soil. It finds food by shuffling slowly along with its nose to the ground. When it detects prey, it frantically digs a hole and thrust its nose into it, using its long, sticky tongue to lap up any insects it may find. The armor is composed of ossified dermal scutes covered by nonoverlapping, keratinized epidermal scales, which are connected by flexible bands of skin. The genus Tolypeutes, is unique in the ability to roll up in a tight, almost impenetrable ball. Armadillos are chiefly solitary, but this species will occasionally travel in small family groups of up to three members. They are largely nocturnal, but have been known to forage during the day. They mark their territories with secretions from glands on their face, feet, and rump. When threatened, they occasionally do not seal their armor completely, but wait until they are touched, then quickly snap shut in an effort to startle the predator. The defense system of “TATU-BOLA” makes it safe from the majority of predators. Adult pumas are the only South American animals powerful enough to be a natural threat. In March of 2012, the Brazilian weekly, Veja, reported the three-banded armadillo would be the official mascot for the 2014 World Cup hosted by Brazil.
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