224 
NINE-BANDED ARMADILLO. 
the tongue and scrapes the ants into the mouth from around the posts on 
which the houses are raised a little above the ground, and has been known 
to dig down under the floors, and remain absent for three or four weeks at 
a time. 
When burrowing this species utters a slight squeak, quite faint however. 
They are said to dig down in a straight direction when they discover a 
subterranean colony of ants, without beginning at the mouth or entrance 
to the ant-hole. There are two favourite species of ant with the Arma- 
dillo in Nicaragua, one of which makes nests in the forks of trees in the 
forests. The tree ants are white, the others small and black. The Arma- 
dillos keep about the roots of the trees in order to feed upon the former, 
and as we have already said, dig for the latter. They also root up the 
ground with their pig-like snout, and do some damage to gardens. They 
are very persevering when in pursuit of ants, and whilst they turn up the 
light soil with the snout, keep the tongue busy taking in the insects. 
It has been assured us that when a line of ants (which may sometimes 
extend some distance in the woods) are busily engaged in carrying provision 
to the general storehouse, they scatter in every direction at the instant the 
Armadillo begins to dig down towards their stronghold, evidently having 
some communication from head-quarters equivalent to “ sauve qui peut.” 
The gait of these animals when not alarmed is like that of a tortoise, 
and about as fast. They have nails powerfully organized for digging, 
whilst their legs are only long enough to raise the body from the ground. 
The holes the Armadillo excavates in the earth for its own purposes, are 
generally dug at an angle of forty-five degrees, are winding, and from six 
to eight feet long. 
The Armadillo is generally much darker in colour than the specimen we 
figured, which having been a pet, was washed and clean when we drew it. 
When in the woods these animals partake more or less of the colour of the 
soil in which they find their food, as some of the dirt sticks to their shell. 
Those that have been domesticated prefer sleeping above ground, but this 
animal when wild lives in burrows, holes in the roots of trees, or under 
rocks. 
From our esteemed friend Capt. J. P. McCown, U. S. A., we have the 
following : “ The Armadillo is to be found in the chaparals on the Rio 
Grande. I have seen their shells or coat-of mail on the prairies ; whether 
carried there by larger animals, or birds, or whether they inhabit the 
prairies, I cannot say. I have seen many that were kept as pets and 
appeared quite tame. I am inclined to the opinion that there are two 
species— the larger living on the low and wet lands and in the canebrakes, 
the smaller occupying the rocky hills and cliffs.” 
