Pink fairy armadillo
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Pink fairy armadillo ( Chlamyphorus truncatus) |
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Chlamyphorus truncatus
Harlan, 1825 |
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The pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus) or pichiciego is a species of armadillo (small mammals of the family Dasypodidae, mostly known for having a bony armor shell). The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest of the armadillos (about 3-1/2" to 4-1/2" long excluding the tail) and pale rose or pink in color. It is found in central Argentina where it inhabits dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cacti.
Members of this species burrow small holes near ant colonies in dry dirt. They feed mainly on ants and ant larvae near where they burrow, and occasionally on worms, snails, other insects and larvae, or various plant and root material.
Since 1970 the pink fairy armadillo has been listed as an endangered species, primarily due to destruction of its habitat resulting from the spread of farmland, towns, and cities. The animals are now rare and, being nocturnal, are rarely spotted. There are no organised efforts to preserve the species.
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