FURRY ANIMALS 



i6s 



On other days, of late afternoons, I saw arma- 

 dillos again, rooting about in the leaves of the 

 dark forest floor. Their food is mainly insects, 

 and most of these are ants. They do not seem 

 to see or hear very well and have been known 



After Newman 



Fig. 71. Armadillo 



to run headlong into tree trunks when disturbed. 

 Probably they rely on their sense of smell for 

 warning of danger. 



With their powerful forepaws they dig very 

 rapidly. They usually have holes near their 

 feeding grounds into which they can dodge if 

 frightened, as well as permanent holes, six or 

 seven feet deep, with a den two feet in diameter 

 at the bottom. 



The most noticeable thing about the armadillos 

 is their curious bony armor (Fig. 71). This 

 undoubtedly helps to protect them when a tiger 



