THE ARMADILLO AND ITS ODDITIES. 355 



plateaus of the Andes, the forests of Brazil, and the barren plains 

 of Central America and Mexico. 



From the imperfect structure of its back teeth, which vary in 

 number from twenty-eight to thirty-six, according to the species, 

 and which curiously interlock with each other, it will be seen 

 that the armadillo can only eat the softest food, both animal and 

 vegetable, such as insects, worms, carrion, fruit, and tender roots. 

 Some species are more exclusively vegetarian than others. Those 

 which make the flesh of animals a part of their diet can only eat 

 it after it has become putrid, or, in the case of my pets, after it 

 has been cooked until very tender. 



In certain South American countries where cattle are fre- 

 quently killed for their hides only, and the carcasses left on the 

 ground, the armadillo feasts on putrid flesh. It burrows under a 

 fresh carcass and waits patiently until decay has taken place. It 



Jack and Jill. 



then eats its way into the body, finally leaving nothing but the 

 dry bones and skin. In this habit the armadillo resembles certain 

 insects, such as ants and carrion beetles. 



The giant armadillo has a still more repulsive habit, some- 

 times burrowing into human graves when opportunity offers. In 

 such localities graves are commonly protected from the ravages 

 of these ghouls by stones or heavy planks. 



The smaller armadillos often enter the nests of ants, but more 

 for the purpose of securing the larvae than the perfect insects. 

 The tongue, though not long and extensile like that of the true 

 ant-eater, is slender, tapering, and flexible, and can be protruded 

 a short distance from the mouth. It is further adapted for secur- 

 ing insects by a glutinous saliva. 



It is amusing to see an armadillo eat, to hear it smack its lips, 

 and to notice its evident enjoyment of its food. Both in its wild 

 state and in captivity it is a hearty eater and often becomes very 



