UNCOMMON PETS. 
A series of articles on the Care and Keep of Auimals in Captivity. 
By P. WELLINGTON FARMBOROUGH, F.Z.S., F.E.S., ete. 
XI. THE ARMADILLO. 
I PRESUME few people have ever gone in for Armadillos as pets, and this is rather 
strange considering what curiously interesting animals they are. A few years ago 
they were very seldom imported, but of late a considerable number have from time to 
time made their appearance on the market. Armadillos are not by any means scarce 
in the countries of which they are natives, but owing to their extreme waviness they are 
most difficult to capture. 
Any specimen of the armadillo that my readers will purchase is sure to be one of 
three species, viz., the Six-Banded Armadillo, the Three-Banded Armadillo, or the Hairy 
Armadillo. The distinguishing name of the first two species is derived from the number 
of transverse bands dividing the carapace, or rather forming the hinged joints by means 
of which the animal is enabled to roll itself up into a ball similar to the habit of the 
common hedgehog when annoyed or disturbed. The exact number of bands in the so- 
called ‘“Six-Banded” species varies, some individuals even possessing eight. This species 
is common in Brazil and Paraguay, and is about twenty inches long, of which the tail 
takes up about five or six inches. The prettiest of all the family of armadillos is the 
“Pichiago,” and at the same time it is the rarest; I have only seen one specimen alive, 
and that in one of the Continental Zoos. The carapace is a delicate pink colour, and 
the hairs whitish; it is a native of the extreme western portion of Argentina, being 
found only on the large cactus-covered sand-plains. The largest of the family is the 
Giant Armadillo, a native of Surinam and Brazil; this species is, in spite of its size, 
seldom seen, owing to the fact that it hides itself in the vastnesses of the enormous 
forest tracts of those countries. The colour is a very dark brown, with a band of white 
on the sides, the head and tail being very lght-coloured; but it is very unlikely that 
any of my readers will find themselves burdened with the responsibility of keepimg one 
of these animals. 
The Six-Banded species is solitary by nature—as indeed are all armadillos—and flees 
to its burrow at the least suspicious sound 
that may attract its attention, and it will 
not emerge until it is satisfied that all signs 
of danger have disappeared. It is reputed 
to be able to move so quickly that a swift-footed 
man would have some difficulty in overtaking 
it. Owing to its quick-burrowing powers, more 
especially in places where’ the ground is at all 
soft or loose, an armadillo cannot be given even 
partial liberty except the floor be concreted 
or otherwise paved with some hard material, 
as it would have disappeared from sight before 
it could be recaptured if unobserved for a 
moment or so If it be on hard eground AEA 
‘Ss SATE S J . 
. ; a5 4 2 ye : 
through which there would be a difficulty in This photograph shows the bands well. 
170 
