LAD Animai Life 
or a defunct snake is also relished; an egg, worms, and caterpillars are also freely 
taken, so that the “changes” may be rung pretty frequently to the adyantage of 
the armadillo. 
In captivity, armadillos become very lively towards the evening. ‘his, owing to 
their nocturnal habits, might be expected, but in captivity they appear to lose more 
readily than other animals of a similar nature this trait of their habits, and to adapt 
themselves more generally to a diurnal existence. Owing to the carnivorous tastes - 
of the armadillo the cage must be thoroughly and often cleansed, as otherwise it 
will quickly become offensive. 
These animals are not very demonstrative in whatever affections they may have, 
but they get tame enough to respond to a whistle from them keeper, and to show 
certain signs of pleasure at his approach. They do not often bite—at least, the writer 
has never been bitten by one yet—but they can and do inflict very painful wounds 
with the long claws of the fore-lhmbs, particularly when lifted up. One of the photo- 
graphs shows an armadillo held up to display the under-parts and the large claws with 
which, although primarily intended for burrowing purposes, they defend themselves. 
There is no need to provide a special closed-off part of the cage for an armadillo, 
as the animal is just as content, if only it has a bundle of straw, to curl itself up 
in one corner of the cage. An armadillo usually sleeps on its back. 
The number of young produced at a birth is two; these for some little time 
are quite blind and helpless, and are suckled for some weeks. Itinerant showmen 
occasionally exhibit the armadillo under the awe-inspiring title of “The Wonderful 
Hog in Armour.” 
It is a somewhat curious fact in connection with the classification of these animals 
that, although placed among the Edentates (a word signifying toothless), one of the 
species, viz., the Giant Armadillo—previously referred to—has a larger number of 
teeth than any other land mammal, possessing as it does at least minety molars. 
Let us hope it does not suffer much with toothache. Armadillos for their size are 
very heavy, and it is usually a matter of surprise to the interested spectator when 
he is permitted to lift one and discovers the unexpected weight of the animal. This 
weight, combined with the muscular energy displayed, soon results in the armadillo 
bemeg replaced in its cage. 
Armadillo held up to show tne soft under-parts and 
the powerful claws used in burrowing. 
