Dasypus
Genus of mammals belonging to the armadillo order of xenarthrans
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Key Takeaways
- Dasypus is the only extant genus in the family Dasypodidae.
- They are found in South, Central, and North America, as well as on the Caribbean islands of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago.
- They exist in numerous habitats ranging from brush to grassland areas and are mainly insectivorous.
- The most common and widespread of the Dasypus species is the nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcintus ), which is commonly used in the study of leprosy due to its unique ability to contract the disease.
- Their ossified dermal plates compose a series of six to eleven movable bands covered by leathery keratinous skin, which surrounds and protects the body.
Dasypus is the only extant genus in the family Dasypodidae. Its species are known as long-nosed or naked-tailed armadillos. They are found in South, Central, and North America, as well as on the Caribbean islands of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago. Members of Dasypus are solitary and primarily nocturnal to avoid temperature extremes and predation. They exist in numerous habitats ranging from brush to grassland areas and are mainly insectivorous. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words δασύς (dasús), meaning "hair", and πούς (poús), meaning "foot".
The most common and widespread of the Dasypus species is the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus), which is commonly used in the study of leprosy due to its unique ability to contract the disease.
Description
Dasypus are xenarthran mammals known for their hard armor-like shell, called a carapace. Their ossified dermal plates compose a series of six to eleven movable bands covered by leathery keratinous skin, which surrounds and protects the body. A thin epidermal layer separates each of the armor bands, and joints in the shell allow for flexibility. The face, neck, and underside lack a bony covering and are instead covered with small bunches of hair.
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