Uncommon Pets 170 
burrowing, the armadillo immediately rolls itself up into a ball at the first warning of 
danger. The Three-Banded Armadillo can roll itself up imto a much tighter ball than 
the six-banded species—to such an extent that a dog or other carnivore is usually unable 
to grasp it in its teeth, which slp off the glassy surface of the carapace and allow 
the animated ball to roll away from its mouth. It is possibly owing to this, and to 
being more purely diurnal in its habits, that this species does not dwell in burrows as 
the other species do. 
The Hairy Armadillo is found in Argentina, and to a very great extent is carnivorous 
in its tastes, usually preferring the putrid flesh of some dead animal Indeed on the 
plains it is noticed that the freshly-made burrows of this species are mostly in very 
close proximity to the carcase of some animal, so that they may be said to be, as it 
were, scavengers. It is stated that the carnivorous habits of this armadillo often lead 
to its destruction, as it sometimes partakes of the poisoned meat laid down for the 
benefit of stray dogs and foxes. It is used sometimes as an article of food, and is 
hunted with dogs for that purpose. As the carapace shields the body of the armadillo, 
the dogs seize it by one or other of the projecting parts, either the head or a 
foot, and hold it until the hunter comes up and lulls the creature. It is stated that 
some very clever dogs put the snout under the carapace of the retreating armadillo and 
turn the latter upon its back—making it “‘turn-turtle,’ as it were—and then seize 
it by the tender under-parts of the abdomen, when, of course, the armadillo is speedily 
lalled. 
As the armadillos are very strong and have powerful limbs, the cage in which 
they are to be kept must be sufficiently large and strong enough to resist any attacks 
that may be made upon it, especially during the first few weeks of the animals’ 
captivity. If the reader can go to the expense of a small dog-kennel with a wired run he 
is advised to do so, as such a structure 1s as good as can be got. If it be inconvenient 
to purchase one of these, a cage must be constructed; it should not, if it can be helped, 
be less than four or five feet in length by a yard high and deep. The front must 
be of what is technically known as ‘“‘rod-iron,” of about $” or 35“ in diameter. A door 
at both ends of the cage is necessary so as to allow the interior to be readily 
accessible at such times as it is needed to be cleaned out. Two troughs—the heavier 
the better—will be wanted, one for the water, the other for the food; heavy ones 
ave advised, as armadillos seem to take the keenest delight in overturning the food- 
vessels; such a contretemps may be avoided if the troughs are fastened by some means 
to the cage. The floor is best covered with sand to the depth of an inch or two, 
and over this a layer of hay or straw; it will be found that the animal will push 
most of this up into one place and make 
a big bundle wherein it can burrow itself out 
of sight and away from prying fingers. 
Armadillos are easily catered for, and 
although when wild are reported to be quite 
carnivorous, with the exception of the three- 
banded species, they may be fed on raw meat 
—heef for preference — shredded or munced 
finely, and mixed with bread and milk. The 
Three-Banded Armadillo is almost exclusively a 
vegetarian, and may be fed on fruit and green 
vegetables. At times, to relieve the monotony 
of the “beef cwm bread and milk” diet, tripe 
may be substituted for the beef, or a dead 
ARMADILLO. : 3 
Showing fore-leys and method of walking. sparrow or two may be given; a dead lizard 
