Image courtesy Arnaud Desbiez
The notoriously camera-shy giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) has finally stepped into the spotlight—Brazilian researchers recently captured the first ever pictures of a baby giant armadillo.
One of the world's most elusive animals, almost nothing is known about giant armadillos, which are found throughout South America.
They're "very rare," Arnaud Desbiez, coordinator of the Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project and regional conservation coordinator for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, said in an email.
For instance, Desbiez has trekked over 1,242 miles (2,000 kilometers) of Brazil's Pantanal region (map), one of the world's largest tropical wetlands, and has never spotted a single armadillo—until now. (See another picture of a giant armadillo spotted in Peru in 2008.)
Camera traps first spotted a male armadillo visiting burrows left behind by a female in early 2012. Romance soon bloomed and that male and female armadillo were photographed sharing a burrow. Five months later, pictures showed the distinctive nose of a baby emerging from the burrow.
"Documenting the birth of a giant armadillo is an exciting step forward [in] helping us better understand the biology and reproduction of this cryptic species," Desbiez said.
—Kate Andries
Published March 1, 2013
Photograph by Kevin Schafer
An adult female armadillo emerges from her burrow in a recent camera trap picture. The mammals can reach up to 4.9 feet (1.5 meters) in length and can weigh up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms).
The giant armadillo's nocturnal nature and diversity of habitat—from open savannahs to tropical rain forests—make them hard to spot.
Because so little is known about them and their population density is so low, giant armadillos are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
According to IUCN, habitat loss and hunting have driven the population down at least 30 percent in the past three generations.
"We simply know nothing about giant armadillos, and may lose the species before we can understand its basic natural history and ecological role," Desbiez said.
Published March 1, 2013
Photograph by Kevin Schafer
Perhaps the most obvious giant armadillo behavior is its knack for digging.
Large front claws, like the ones on this adult armadillo, allow the animals to clear out their burrows—one of the few pieces of evidence that show an armadillo has been in the area. (Also see "Armadillo-like Crocodile Fossil Found in Brazil.")
Giant armadillos are also important ecosystem engineers, Desbiez said.
"Our research in the Brazilian Pantanal shows that giant armadillo burrows are an important shelter and thermal refuge to a wide array of species ranging from tiny lizards to large collared peccaries," he said.
Published March 1, 2013
Photograph by Kevin Schafer
Researchers Gabriel Massocato, Danilo Kluyber, and Arnaud Desbiez (left to right) began the first long-term ecological study of giant armadillos in 2010.
The team hoped that by using radio transmitters, camera traps, burrow surveys, and maps, they could help pin down some information on the ecology and biology of the animal.
So far it's paid off: As of this year, Desbiez said, the team has caught eight armadillos, mapped burrows throughout a partnering cattle ranch, and placed 15 camera traps in front of more than 70 burrows. (See the best camera-trap pictures of 2012.)
"Seeing the first picture of a baby giant armadillo was one of the most exciting moments of my career as a wildlife professional," project veterinarian Danilo Kluyber said in a statement.
Added Desbiez, "Giant armadillos have a great potential for education and outreach.
"The species has a fascinating evolutionary history, exhibit distinctive adaptations, play an interesting role in the ecosystem ... and in general people have never heard of them."
The Pantanal Giant Armadillo Project is a partnership between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland; the Brazil-based Institute for Ecological Research; and Baía das Pedras, a private cattle ranch. The project relies on conservation grants from zoos in the United States, Europe, and Australia as well as other foundations and conservation institutions.
Published March 1, 2013
Photograph courtesy Peruvian Amazon Biodiversity Project
Published March 1, 2013
To just try & imagine the patience the Brazilian researchers must have to get these amazing pictures of this giant baby armadillo & to be the very first ones to do it just blows my mind. It's a great feat these researchers did & I applaud all of them for there toughness they had to endure to let us see these one of a kind pictures,this shows the endurance people with a purpose can do & hopefully make more people want to follow in there footsteps.
1 Like
It's hard to believe that with today's technology, these are the first pictures ever of this. It goes to show that we still have much to discover in this world.
The Ring Nebula shines, a volcano erupts, and Germans see the bat signal in this week's best new space pictures.
As extreme weather seems to accelerate globally, scientists believe events Down Under can help explain what to look for-and guard against.
Cicadas bugging you? See our recipe ideas for the low-fat critters, including the new candied cicada cocktail.
Photographer David Doubilet photographs stingrays, sharks, and more.
Swarm behaviorist Iain Couzin has a toxic reaction to a locust at the same time his team runs out of food.
NG's new Change the Course campaign launches.
Future of Fish is helping fishermen improve their bottom line while better managing stocks for the future.
The Change Reaction blog investigates in California.
