ristice.-~-Medium size; circular armor plates; armored tail; normal 
sized claws on forefeet, ears close together. 
Measurements.-~Average measurenent : i ; 
65 mm.; ear 35 mn. BE nts sre: total length, 70 mm.; tail, 340 mm.; hind foot, 
General distribution.--From Louieiana in the United States, south through Central America to 
Argentina, 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Common throughout the Republic from sea level to at least 9,000 
feet elevation. | 
Habitat.--Prefers dry, brushy areas, but occurs also in moister situations in forest country, 
Habits.--Armedillos subsist mostly on ants, insects, and grubs, many of which it obtains by 
digging little holes in the ground with its forefeet. Probably it aleo eats lizards and 
other small animals, It is a good digger; constructs burrows, usually around rocks or at 
the base of banks, or, where neither is available, in plain flat ground, It feeds mainly 
at night, and is seldom observed abroad in the daytime. When it senses danger, it immediately 
rushes for ite burrow with amazing speed, considering its short legs and cumbersome shell, 
If overtaken, it rolls up within its shell to form an armored tall, 
Hunting.--The meat of the armadillo is tasty, and the animal is much hunted by the Indians 
who pursue it at night with hounds. Often the animal is dug from its burrow, which is 
usually rather shallow, Yew sportsmen go out in quest of armadillos, but everyone who uses 
hounds in hunting has had experience with the little beasts; for the hounds, when set on the 
fresh trail of a cat or deer, will often bring the hunter after a long chase to the mouth of 
en armadillo burrow, much to the hunteman's disgust, 
Remarks.--The race occurring in Guatemala is mexicanus. 
41, 
Names,-~Latin: Cabassous centrajlis 
Guatemalan: Armado de zopilots 
English: Naked-tailed Armadillo 
Description.--A smaller mammal than No, 40, with the body armor consisting of a mosaic of 
square plates, the back with 10 to 12 movable transverse bands, the tail without armor, the 
fece without armor except on the forepart. The ears are set far apart, and the front feet 
have five toes, which are armed with very large, broad claws. 
Distinguishing characteristics.-~Small size; square armor plates; unarmored tail; large claws 
on forefeet; ears far apart, 
Measurements, —Average measurements are: total length, 406 mm; tail, 106 mm; hind foot, 
3 mm. 
Genera] distribution.--From Honduras and possibly Guatemala south to Panama, ‘ 
Distribution in Guatemala.-~Not surely recorded for the Republic; but reported from the 
mountains of Quiche, on the east side, and from the Pacific coastal plain, on the west. 
Habjtat.--Relatively dry forest and brush land and cleared land, 
Habits.--Similar to those of the nine banded armadillo (No, 40). 
Hunting.--See (No. 40). This species is probably too scarce in Guatemala to be of importance, 
42, 
Nemes,--Latin: Trichechus mapatus 
Guatemalan: ? 
English: Manatee 
Description.--4 very large, heavy mammal adapted to an aquatic existence, Has flippers in 
place of the forelegs; no hind legs; no hair on the body; amall ears and small eyes; and a 
tail in the form of a broad spatula, 
is char ris -~Large size; bare skin; lack of hind limbs; spatulate tail; 
flipper-like forelimbs, 
Measurements.--Adulte are 7 to 12 feet in length, and weigh 400 pounds or more, 
al distribution.--West Indies, and Caribbean coast of southern México, Central America 
and northern South America, 
Dist t ~-Caribbean coast and esteros, and Lake Izabal, 
Habitat.--Shallow waters of warn tropical rivers and lagoons. i 
Habits.--The manatee is unable to leave the water and spends its whole life in an aquatic 
environment, It subsists on plant life, which it browses from beneath the surface of the 
water, Its movements are very slow and deliberate, and it is completely inoffensive, 
Eunting.-~The manatee is not a game mammal, but is occasionally shot by fishermen and other 
people in boats. Since it is becoming’ scarcer throughout ite range, it should be afforded 
the protection of law inmediately. 
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