The Giant armadillo, known by the binomial name Priodontes maximus, and its synonym Priodontes giganteus, is the largest species of armadillo. Its members were once found widely in tropical forests of eastern South America and now extend in varied habitats as far south as northern Argentina; the species is considered endangered.
They typically weigh around 27 kg (59 lb) when full grown, and a 32.3 kg (71 lb) specimen has been weighed in the wild. A typical length is 895 mm (35 in), of which a third to two-fifths is likely to be accounted for by the tail.
A giant armadillo prefers termites and some ants as prey, and typically consumes the entire population of a termite mound.
The giant armadillo was classified as Endangered (EN — A1cd) on the World Conservation Union's Red List in 2002, and is listed under Appendix I (threatened with extinction) of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
See also
- Glyptodon - a prehistoric giant armadillo relative.
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