'" CARD 261 I

MOUNTAIN REEDBUCK
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
~
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bavidae
GENUS &: SPECIES
Redunco fulvarufula
The mountain reedbuck is a graceful antelope that is found
in parts of Africa. This agile creature makes its home on
sparsely vegetated rocky hills and mountains.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Height to shoulder: 2 - 2 ~ ft.
Body length: 3 ~ - 4 ~ ft.
Tail length: 8 in.
Weight: 65 lb. Female slightly
heavier than male.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 1 year.
Mating: No specific period.
Gestation: Almost 8 months.
No. of young: 1 .
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active by day. Lives singly,
in pairs, or in herds.
Diet: Grasses, leaves, twigs, roots,
and shoots.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 3 subspecies of moun-
tain reedbuck and 2 other species
of reedbuck: the Bohor reedbuck,
Redunco redunco, and the southern
reedbuck, R. arundinium.
Range of the mountain reedbuck.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in scattered areas of hilly highland in central and eastern
Africa and in parts of southern Africa.
CONSERVATION
During periods of drought and when grazing is poor, the moun-
tain reedbuck suffers greatly because it will not move away to
fresh pastures.
FEATURES OF THE MOUNTAIN REEDBUCK
VARIATIONS IN SPECIES
Coat: Thick and woolly. Light
grayish brown with red tinge on
head, neck, and upper side of tail.
Bare patch underneath the ear.
Female: Slightly heavier than
male. Lacks horns.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Bohor reedbuck: Yellowish coat.
Short horns have 5 to 10 rings
and are thick at the base.
Southern reedbuck: Gray-brown
coat. Large horns with 10 to 15
rings. White stripe over lips, on
chin, and below eyes.
us P 6001 12 073 PACKET 73
Small, isolated groups of mountain reedbucks are scattered
over parts of sub-Saharan Africa. A sedentary animal, the
mountain reedbuck never leaves its familiar rocky habitat.
Because it cannot adapt to new environments, this antelope
suffers greatly during droughts and when grazing is poor.
~ HABITS
The mountain reedbuck lives in
hilly and mountainous country
at altitudes of up to 16,500 feet.
In contrast to many other species
of antelope, the mountain reed-
buck is sedentary, never straying
from known ground. The male
usually holds a territory of about
10 square miles. Instead of mark-
ing this area with dung or glan-
dular secretions, he lets out a
series of sharp whistles while he
patrols the boundaries.
Although it may live in groups
like most grazers, the mountain
reedbuck also lives alone or in
pairs. When a predator such as
a jackal or leopard appears near
a herd, one member lets out a
harsh, piercing whistle and the
animals scatter. The mountain
reedbuck is more vulnerable to
predators when it is alone. But
its familiarity with its territory
usually enables it to escape.
Right: Left alone after birth, the
young mountain reedbuck soon
joins a herd of females and calves.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The vegetation in the mountain
reedbuck's habitat is sparse and
mostly t ough. But because it
grazes on such harsh terrain,
this antelope faces little compe-
tition from other herd animals.
When it feeds near human set-
tlements, however, the moun-
tain reedbuck must compete
with domestic sheep and goats,
and its diet suffers as a result.
The mountain reedbuck usu-
Left: The mountain reedbuck gets
most of the water it needs from the
vegetation it eats.
ally feeds in the early morning
and early evening. It consumes
grasses, leaves, twigs, and the
tender roots and shoots of vari-
ous plants. Its ability to eat large
amounts of vegetation without
stopping to rest makes up for
the poor quality of the food.
Although water is often scarce
in its habitat, the mountain reed-
buck can survive for long peri -
ods of time without drinking.
Right: The mountain reedbuck is
an alert creature, always on guard
against danger.
Left: The female
mountain reed-
buck is hornless
and slightly gray-
er than the male.
Her dull coat has
the advantage of
blending well into
the arid habitat.
DID YOU KNOW?
The mountain reedbuck is
said to be fairly tame and
easy to approach. This may
be why it lacks prestige as a
game animal-hunters can
get close for a shot too easily.
~ BREEDING
The mountain reedbuck does
not seem to have a set breed-
ing season. But births frequent-
ly occur at a time of year when
there is sufficient plant matter.
These times vary in different
parts of Africa.
The male may mate with sev-
eral females from his own terri-
tory or with any other females
that pass through it. During the
courtship ritual , he scrapes the
ground with his forefeet, low-
ers his head toward the female,
The mountain reedbuck is
able to jump over obstacles
more than four feet high.
When fleeing a predator,
the reedbuck holds its tail up,
showing the white underside.
and then kicks out his hind legs.
Occasionally both male and fe-
male leap into the air.
Almost eight months after
mating, the female gives birth
to one calf that weighs about
six pounds. The uncoordinated
newborn exhibits a strong urge
to conceal itself. This instinct is
crucial to its survival, since the
mother leaves her young almost
immediately. The calf soon leaves
its hideout to join a small herd
of females and young.
RED UAKARI
ORDER
Primates
FAMILY
Cebidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Cacajao rubicundus
The red uakari is a shy monkey that lives in the canopy of the
Amazon rainforest. The forlorn expression on its red face
gives it a startling, almost human appearance.
KEYFACTS ____________________________ ~
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 20-22 in.
Tail, 6 in.
Weight: 7-10 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 3-6 years.
Mating: Any time; births usually
coincide with abundance of food.
Gestation: 6 months.
No. of young: 1.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Day-active; sociable, living
in groups of 15-50.
Diet: Mainly fruit, leaves, seeds,
and flowers; occasionally insects.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
Among the red uakari's closest rel-
atives are the black uakari, Cacajao
melanocephalus, and the white ua-
kari, C. calvus.
DISTRIBUTION
The red uakari is confined to a relatively small area of the Ama-
zon basin, from the Rio Japura in Brazil to the Rio Huallaga in
Peru and west to the Andean foothills.
CONSERVATION
The red uakari has long been hunted for its flesh. Although it is
now very rare in Peru and has declined in Brazil, its numbers
seem to have st abilized recently.
FEATURES OF THE RED UAKARI
Face: Hairless. Varies in
color from light pink to
bright red. The shade indi-
cates the monkey's mood
and, in the male, its breed-
ing condition.
Tail : Short and hairy. In-
capable of gripping, un-
like the useful prehensile
(gripping) tail of most
other American primates.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Hands: 5 long
digits, with a
marked cleft
between the index
and middle fingers.
Coat: Shaggy.
Color varies from
dull brown to
golden red.
Limbs: Extremely
powerful. The
animal can grip
with its hind feet to
hang upside down,
or walk upright
on its hind limbs
along a branch.
US P 6001 12077 PACKET 77
The red uakari is closely related to the saki monkeys, which
also live in the Amazon basin region. Like the sakis, the red
uakari has a cleft between the index and middle fingers.
This characteristic gives these monkeys a firm grip on fruit
as well as on branches. Both the sakis and uakaris have
suffered a decline in numbers and are now rare in the wild.

The red uakari inhabits a small
area of rainforest in the Amazon
basin region of South America.
It makes its home up in the tree
canopy, where it can find plenty
of food. This monkey rarely de-
scends to the ground because
the river basin is usually flooded
or waterlogged.
The red uakari is very easy to
recognize. Its hairless crown and
face range in color from light
pink to bright red. The shade
of red changes according to the
monkey's mood. In males the
shade also changes to indicate
the animal's breeding condition.
The red uakari's tail very rarely
grows to more than a third of its
body length, and it cannot grip
branches. The monkey is still an
agile climber, however, although
it avoids making dramatic leaps.
The red uakari lives in a troop
containing 15 to 50 individuals.
The troop is made up of females
and their offspring plus several
males-adults or subadults-
that act as the leaders. The troop
wakes up at dawn and spends
the day browsing in the high
branches, always keeping an
eye out for enemies. The mon-
keys are often preyed upon by
the savage harpy eagle, which
swoops into the tree canopy to
snatch its victims. However, the
uakari is safe from most ground
predators--except humans.
Right: The female uakari forms a
strong bond with her young, which
lasts up to three years.
FOOD & FEEDING
The red uakari feeds in the trees
on fruit, leaves, seeds, and flow-
ers. It also eats insects whenever
plant matter is scarce.
Uakaris usually feed in trees
that have just blossomed. They
often share their meal with oth-
er monkeys and have even been
known to lead squirrel monkeys
to food.
Sometimes, however, there
is intense competition for food
Left: The red uakari may call out to
intimidate an enemy.
DID YOU KNOW?
The red uakari's facial color
fades from lack of sunlight.
The uakari is the only mon-
key in South America with a
short tail.
The members of the family
Cebidae, to which the red ua-
kari belongs, vary widely in
among tree-dwelling monkeys.
To cope with this problem,
ous species have developed dif-
ferent feeding habits. Titi mon-
keys can digest unripe fruit that
other monkeys do not eat. Noc-
turnal monkeys avoid daytime
feeders by foraging at night. By
feeding in the highest branches
of the trees, red uakaris avoid
competition with monkeys that
feed at lower levels of the forest.
Right: Its coat distinguishes the
white uakari from the red uakari.
appearance. But all have wide-
bridged noses and common
teeth formations. In addition,
they all lack cheek pouches.
Some experts believe white
and red uakaris are subspecies
of one species, since fur color
is their only major difference.
The red uakari may breed at any
time of year. Each female in a
troop mates with more than
one male, and once a male has
mated he may seek another re-
ceptive female. Adult uakaris do
not form strong pair bonds.
After a six-month gestation,
the female gives birth to one
offspring, usually when food is
abundant. The newborn climbs
onto its mother's belly, where it
suckles for several days. It later
spends several months on her
back. The troop shares the re-
sponsibility of bringing up the
young. All troop members help
the mother, grooming and de-
fending her and her young. The
male uakari is especially protec-
tive of his own offspring.
~ R D 2 6 3
QUOKKA
"" ......________________ G_ROUP 1: MAMMALS
.... ORDER .... FAMILY ~ GENUS &; SPECIES
~ Marsupialia ~ Macropodidae ~ Setonix brachyurus
The quokka is a marsupial that was once common across
southwestern Australia. But it now survives only in scattered
parts of the continent and on two offshore islands.
KEYFACTS
I i;&1 SIZES
~ Length: Head and body, 16-23
in. Tail, 10-14 in .
Weight: 4-11 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years.
Mating season: Usually January
and February.
Gestation: 4 weeks.
No. of young: 1.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Nocturnal; solitary.
Diet: Grasses and low-growing
plants and herbs.
Lifespan: Up to 5 years.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 9 genera of kangaroo
and wallaby in the family Macropo-
didae. These include the eastern
gray kangaroo, Macropus gigan-
teus; and the rock wallabies in the
genus Petrogaie. The quokka is the
only species in the genus Setonix.
FEATURES OF THE QUOKKA
Keeping cool: Like many mammals in hot, dry
climates, the quokka regulates its body heat by
licking its feet , legs, tail , and belly until they are
drenched with saliva. The evaporating moisture
then cools the body.
Tail: Sparsely furred. Much shorter
than that of most wallabies; only
about twice as long as the head.
Range of the quokka.
DISTRIBUTION
The quokka was once widespread in southwestern Australia.
Now it is mainly found on the islands of Rottnest and Bald,
off the country's west coast.
CONSERVATION
Although island populations are stable, a drastic increase in
numbers could exhaust the quokka's food supply.
Coat: Dense and fairly
coarse, with long, soft
underfur. Thickest on
back. Grizzled gray brown
color, sometimes with
a reddish tinge.
rounded.
Legs and feet: Hind legs are much
longer than forelegs, which is typical
of wallabies. Sharp claws on all digits
are useful for digging.
c
C
<l
Q
'!.
The quokka is a small/ solitary member of the wallaby
family that lives in the dense grass and undergrowth of dry,
scrubby habitats. Scientists have learned a great deal about
marsupials by studying the quokka in captivity. Howeve"
they know very little about this animal's habits in the wild.
~ HABITAT
Like many kangaroos and wal-
labies, the quokka has suffered
from human encroachment.
Habitat destruction and inten-
sive grazing by domestic live-
stock have greatly reduced its
range. Once abundant in the
swampy thickets of southwest-
ern Australia, the quokka now
lives only in a few isolated col-
onies on the mainland and on
the islands of Rottnest and Bald.
In these locations, the animal is
found primarily in dense grass
and undergrowth.
The quokka holds a small ter-
ritory that is about 20 acres. In-
dividual territories may overlap,
but the animals tolerate one an-
other, and they are not aggres-
sively territorial.
Within its grassy habitat, the
quokka makes and uses run-
ways and tunnels. In addition,
it scratches shallow depressions
in the ground to make tempo-
rary refuges.
Right: Although scarce on main-
land Australia, the quokka thrives
on its island refuges.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rottnest means "rat's nest"
in Dutch. Rottnest Island got
its name from Dutch sailors
who arrived on the island in
1658 and thought that the
quokkas were rats.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The quokka feeds mainly be-
tween dawn and dusk, but it
rests in a shady ground scrape
during the hottest part of the
day. The animal grazes on the
shoots of grasses, herbs, and
other low plants.
In the dry summer months,
quokkas on Rottnest Island of-
ten move to areas near fresh wa-
ter with lusher vegetation.
The quokka's digestive system
is similar to that of a sheep. Bac-
teria in its large stomach enable
the animal to digest the large
amounts of fiber in its diet.
Left: The quokka takes shelter in its
ground scrape during the hottest
parts of the day.
Right: The quokka sits up on its
haunches to feed on the tender
new shoots of shrubs.
When grazing, the quokka
often curls its tail between its
hind feet and sits on it. Unlike
many larger wallabies, how-
ever, the quokka does not use
its tail as a prop.
~ BREEDING
The female quokka can breed
at any time of year, but she is
most receptive during January
and February-the height of
summer in Australia. Mating at
this time of year ensures that
the young, called a joeYt will
leave its mother's pouch after
the winter rains, when plants
are most abundant.
After mating, the male often
leaves the female, who gives
birth after a four-week gesta-
tion. The newborn joey weighs
only a fraction of an ounce and
Left: The weath-
er has little effect
on the tempera-
ture inside the
pouch, so the
joey is kept at
a stable 9lJO F.
is deaf and blind. Using its strong
claws, it climbs up its mother's
belly into her pouch. For the
next five or six months, it de-
velops inside her pouch, at-
tached to one of her teats.
Although the female usually
produces only one joey each
year, she often mates right af-
ter giving birth. The newly fer-
tilized egg does not develop,
however, while a joey is in the
female's pouch. If the joey dies,
the egg develops and another
young is born.
TAMANDUA
ORDER
Edentata
... FAMILY
Myrmecophagidae
CARD 264
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Tamandua mexicana, T. tetradactyla
Tam an duos, also known as lesser anteaters, are tree-dwelling
creatures that live in South America. Although they resemble
their giant anteater cousin, they are only half its size.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Body, 1 ft. Tail,
1 X-2X ft .
Weight: lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Mating season: Fall.
No. of young: 1 .
Gestation: About 5 months.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary; tree-dwelling; ac-
tive at night.
Diet: Termites, ants, and bees and
their honey.
Lifespan: Unknown in the wild.
At least 9 years in captivity.
Range of tamanduas.
DISTRIBUTION
RELATED SPECIES
The northern tamandua, Taman-
dua mexican a, and the southern ta-
mandua, T. tetradactyla, are closely
related to the silky anteater, Cye/opes
didactylus, and the giant anteater,
Myrmecophaga tridactyla.
The tamanduas' range overlaps that of the giant anteater, from
southern Mexico to Paraguay and Argentina. The southern spe-
cies is also found in Trinidad.
CONSERVATION
Tamanduas have become rare mainly due to the loss of their
habitat. They are listed as endangered by the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
FEATURES OF TAMANDUAS
Northern tamandua: Both northern and southern tamanduas have
dense, bristly hair and light brown coloring. But the northern species
has a black area along its back that extends onto its neck and around
it-si(hlle, somewhat like a vest.

Tail: Long, scaly, and partly hairless,
unlike the tail of the giant anteater.
Acts as a fifth limb to give a firm grip
on branches when climbing.
Tongue: May be
up to 16 inches
long. Tamanduas
have no teeth and
use their tongues
to lick up food.
SOUTHERN TAMANDUA
The coat of the southern tamandua
varies throughout its range, but the
light, sandy coloring predominates.
Black or dark brown individuals oc-
cur in Peru, in the foothills of the
Andes in Ecuador, and around the
Amazon delta.
(;
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ill
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::::>
When they were first discovered, tamanduas were
thought to be very clumsy creatures. They cannot gal/op
like the giant anteater, and they move with stiffly held
limbs. Yet these creatures are perfectly equipped for life
in the trees, where they consume enormous quantities
of insects such as termites and ants. Tamanduas can
also fight predators much larger than themselves.
~ H A B I T S
Tamanduas are solitary animals
that are active at night. They
mostly inhabit the edges of for-
ests and wooded savannas in
South America, where they live
in hollow trees. They may also
be found in scrubland, plains,
and rainforests.
A tamandua communicates
either with a loud hiss or by emit-
ting a pungent odor. In this way
an individual announces its pres-
ence, which serves as a defen-
sive measure.
A tamandua's arms and legs
are very powerful, but its hands
and feet are less specialized than
those of other anteaters. Never-
theless, tamanduas can demol-
ish termite mounds, anthills, and
other insect nests.
Tamanduas are quick to de-
fend themselves against pred-
ators. If it is in a tree, the animal
uses its hind feet and tail to form
a tripod. This position allows it
to stretch its arms, with its long
claws bared, toward the enemy.
If assaulted on the ground, a
tamandua defends itself by lean-
ing against a tree or rock. As a
last resort it falls backward, hiss-
ing loudly and slashing at the
enemy with its hind feet, just
like a big cat.
Right: Tamanduas are members of
the order Edentata, which means
"without teeth. "
Left: Aside
from some
differences in
coloring, north-
ern and south-
ern tamanduas
are similar. The
southern species
tends to live in
more open hab-
itats in Brazil
and Venezuela
and spends less
time in the trees.
It may also oc-
cupya much
larger range.
DID YOU KNOW?
Because of the smelly scent
they emit, tamanduas are
known by a local name mean-
ing "stinkers of the forest."
The stomach of one taman-
dua was found to contain more
than one pound of ants and
their larvae.
While foraging in the trees, a
female may set her offspring
~ BREEDING
Little is known about the breed-
ing habits of tamanduas. They
probably mate in fall. After a
gestation of about five months,
the female gives birth to a single
young in the spring. She carries
it on her back, both in the trees
and on the ground.
Unlike the giant anteater, a
young tamandua differs in col-
oring from the adult. At birth its
fur varies from black to white.
Right: A tamandua has a long,
scaly, almost hairless tail that
serves as a fifth limb.
on a branch, where it remains
until she has finished.
Tamanduas spend most of
the day asleep in trees. Their
mottled coat coloring provides
excellent camouflage.
At 91
0
F tamanduas have
one of the lowest body tem-
peratures on record of any ac-
tive land mammal.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Tamanduas have a specialized
diet, feeding mainly on small
insects like ants and termites.
They also eat bees and honey.
Tamanduas usually feed at
night, using their long tails to
grasp branches as they climb
slowly through the trees and
sniff for insect nests. When a
tamandua finds a nest, it breaks
into it with its curved claws and
uses its long, sticky tongue to
lick up the insects.
At times a tamandua may slash
open a nest, only to be covered
by a swarm of ants. Although its
skin is tough and its coat thick,
the tamandua may be bitten. In-
tent on its meal, however, it
continues to feed from the nest,
perhaps pausing to scratch at a
sting with a hind foot. After the
meal is over, it gets rid of the
ants on its coat by dropping to
the ground and picking them off
one by one.
Left: The gripping tail acts as a
support, leaving the forepaws free
for feeding.
" CARD 265 1
MOUSE OPOSSUM
,, _____________________________
.. ORDER .. FAMILY .. GENUS
Marsupia/ia Didelphidae Marmosa
Mouse opossums are marsupials. But unlike other opossums, the
female lacks a pouch in which to carry her offspring. Instead, the
young cling to her back or hang between her hind legs.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 3-7 in.
Tail, in .
Weight: 1-8 oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 9 months.
Breeding season: Some species
breed year-round; others breed
seasonally.
Gestation: 2 weeks.
No. of young: 3-15.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Solitary; night-active.
Diet: Insects, small rodents, birds'
eggs, and fruit.
Lifespan: Approximately 1 year in
the wild.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 47 mouse opossum spe-
cies. Some of the better-known
species include the murine mouse
opossum, the ashy mouse opos-
sum, and the Mexican mouse
opossum.
Range of mouse opossums.
DISTRIBUTION
The 47 species of mouse opossum are found in Mexico, Cen-
tral America, and South America. They are absent only from
the Andes, the Chilean desert, and Patagonia.
CONSERVATION
Mouse opossums are in no danger of extinction. However,
their future could be jeopardized by brush clearance in the
Andes and the destruction of the rainforests.
FEATURES OF THE COMMON MOUSE OPOSSUM
Snout: Long
and pointed.
Ears: Can be
folded during
sleep.
Feet: 5 digits on each
of the 4 paws. Able to
grasp.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Tail: Prehensile
(gripping) . Used
for climbing and
g rasping materi-
al. In some spe-
cies, base of tail
swells up for fat
storage.
US P 6001 12074 PACKET 74
There are 47 species of mouse opossum and as many as
150 subspecies. These animals have naked ears, large
protruding eyes, and smooth shiny fur. With their long,
hairless, prehensile tails, mouse opossums are able to grip
branches as they move through the forest in search of food.
~ H A B I T S
The 47 mouse opossum species
live in Mexico, Central America,
and South America. Their habi-
tats range from tropical rainfor-
est to semidesert areas.
To cope with their nocturnal
lifestyle, most mouse opossums
have keen vision and hearing.
Their ears often twitch as they
track different animal sounds.
The climbing ability of the dif-
ferent species varies, depending
on their lifestyle. For example,
the ashy mouse opossum and
the gray mouse opossum live
in trees and are good climbers.
Other species, like the Chilean
mouse opossum, are adapted
to life on the ground and have
shorter tails and smaller feet.
Nest sites vary among mouse
opossums. Some make nests in
hollow logs or under rocks. Oth-
ers use abandoned birds' nests.
The pale-bellied mouse opos-
sum does not have a permanent
nest. It spends the day in any
suitable shelter and then moves
on at night.
Mouse opossums are solitary
creatures. When two individuals
meet, they frequently threaten
each other by baring their sharp
teeth and hissing. Up to seven
species may occupy the same
part of a forest. But differences
in body size and climbing ability
ensure that they do not com-
pete for food.
Right: Insects such as grasshoppers
make up the bulk of a mouse opos-
sum's diet.
~ BREEDING
Mouse opossums breed year-
round in tropical regions and up
to three times a year in cooler
areas. While courting, the male
approaches the female with a
clicking noise. A fertile female
usually lets the male mount her
but drives him away if she is not
receptive. For the pale-bellied
mouse opossum, mating may
last six hours.
Gestation takes two weeks.
The litter size may vary from 3
left: With acute hearing and keen
vision, a mouse opossum can for-
age for food at night.
DID YOU KNOW?
Mouse opossums may nest
in banana stalks. When the
fruit is shipped to the United
States, the mouse opossums
turn up in grocery stores.
Not all mouse opossums are
to up to 15 in the case of the
pale-bellied mouse opossum.
Less than half an inch long, the
embryonic newborns immedi-
ately attach themselves to their
mother's teats. Any that drop
from the teat are left to die.
The young let go of the moth-
er's teats after three weeks and
cling to her back or hang be-
tween her hind legs. Their eyes
open at five weeks old, and they
leave the nest a few days later.
Right: Breeding is timed so that
food is plentiful when the young
leave their mother.
as small as thei r name sug-
gests. The gray mouse opos-
sum grows to 18 inches long.
A newborn mouse opossum
is not much larger than a grain
of rice.
left: A mouse
opossum grips
branches with
its strong tail as
it moves slowly
through the
forest in search
of food.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
Mouse opossums feed mainly
on fruit and insects and are very
fond of large grasshoppers. A
mouse opossum will leap up to
catch a grasshopper in midair.
It then discards the hard parts
and lower legs and devours the
rest of the grasshopper.
Mouse opossums also feed on
small rodents, lizards, and birds'
eggs. Raw sugar is a favorite of
the murine mouse opossum,
and it may damage sugar, ba-
nana, and mango crops.
When it forages in trees, a
mouse opossum moves slowly,
gripping the branches with its
strong, prehensile tail. The ani-
mal may at times hang upside
down by its tail and hold its
meal in its forefeet while eating.
NYALA
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
"", CARD 266
CROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS &: SPECIES
Tragelaphus angasi
The nyala is a large, agile antelope that lives in a few small
areas of savanna in southeastern Africa. A wary creature,
it rarely strays far from the cover of trees and bushes.
_____
SIZES
Head and body length: Up to 5 ft.
Male larger than female.
Tail: Male, 17 in. Female, 14 in.
Horns: 2 ft.
Weight: 250-280 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: About 3 years.
Mating: Peaks from August to
December and again in May.
Gestation: 7 months.
No. of young: 1.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Sociable, living in herds.
Diet: Grass, leaves, flowers, fruit.
Call: Deep-throated, roaring bark.
Lifespan: About 16 years.
RELATED SPECIES
In addition to the nyala, the genus
Tragelaphus includes the bush buck,
the sitatunga, the greater and less-
er kudus, the mountain nyala, and
the bongo.
j;;ATURES OF THE NYALA
Range of the nyala.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in localized areas of savanna in southeastern Africa, in-
cluding national parks in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa,
and Zimbabwe.
CONSERVATION
Although its habitat has been fragmented, the nyala is relative-
ly safe, thanks to strictly enforced protection laws in the coun-
tries in which it lives.
I Male: Charcoal gray with up to 14 thin white stripes and a darker shaggy band on the neck.
Light crest along the neck and back, which is raised to warn off other males.
Horns: Dark Chestnut lower legs. Unusual long, black fringe runs from throat to rump.
are ivory-
colored.
Head: Both
sexes have large
ears that pick
up sounds of
approaching
predators. Male
has white mark-
ings between
the eyes.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
A few white spots on the thighs.
Long, bushy tail.
Female: Much
smaller than
the male. Pale
chestnut coat
with bright
white stripes
and spots and
a short black
crest along the
back. Both fe-
male and male
young have the
adult female's
coloring.
us P 6001 12078 PACKET 78
The nyala is distinctive because of the striking difference
between the male and female. The pale chestnut female
is marked with vivid white stripes. The much larger
charcoal gray male has a shaggy black fringe running
from throat to rump that is unique among antelope.
~ HABITS
The nyala usually lives in low-
lying savanna. In the open, it is
vulnerable to predators such as
leopards and lions, so it stays
within reach of cover. If nyalas
are forced into the open in or-
der to feed or drink, they con-
gregate in larger groups than
normal for protection.
The nyala roams over a terri-
tory of one-quarter to one and
one-half square miles. It usually
lives in a herd that varies in size
from as few as 3 to as many as
30 individuals. Male and mixed
herds are led by a single male.
Family groups are often domi-
nated by a female. Nyala herds
are not territorial.
Males rarely fight fiercely, but
they may stand on their hind
legs and lock horns when com-
peting for a female. The male
may also display by raising the
fringe of hair along his back,
flipping his bushy tail up, and
prancing slowly about with his
legs held high. In addition, the
male may keep rivals away by
beating the grass with his horns
and pawing the ground with
his cloven hooves. In the few
cases of real aggression, males
may attack each other head-on
with their horns.
The nyala coexists peacefully
near other antelope. However,
it likes to keep some distance,
and it will move away if a herd
of another species comes too
close to it.
Right: The young nyala is guarded
by its watchful mother at the water
hole, where it is vulnerable.
~ BREEDING
The female nyala gives birth to
one calf in a thicket. She leaves
the newborn for 18 days but re-
turns periodically to suckle and
clean it. The calf then joins its
mother in the herd and stays
near her until it is weaned.
It is difficult for the young to
survive the long dry season. So
births tend to peak in the wet
season, when the calf has a
chance to build up strength.
Left: The nyala usually lives in a
herd, but individuals may wander
alone for months.
DID YOU KNOW?
The name nyala comes from
a Bantu word for the animal.
The nyala frequently drinks
very near crocodiles, undis-
turbed by the threat of their
presence. Surprisingly, the
The male calf's horns appear
soon after birth but take four
years to grow to full length. Af-
ter he leaves his mother, the
young male joins a group of
two or three other males. He
feeds and plays with them but
soon grows more solitary. Fe-
males tend to stay in family
groups or join other females.
Mixed herds also occur, espe-
cially during mating periods.
Right: Most births are during the
wet season, when there is plenty
of grass for the calf to eat.
reptiles rarely attack the nyala.
The nyala was once known
as Angas's bush buck, after
Douglas Angas, who was the
first European naturalist to
record the species.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The nyala feeds from late after-
noon until early the next morn-
ing. It eats a variety of grasses,
twigs, flowers, seed pods, and
fruit, as well as some crop plants.
In addition it eats the leaves of
more than 100 types of trees
and plants, including the acacia,
mustard tree, monkey orange,
and cucumber bush, as well as
the bark of the baobab tree.
The nyala usually feeds within
the herd's home range. It twists
its tongue around the food and
then breaks it off against its low-
er teeth. When grass is young,
the nyala eats the juicy shoots,
cropping them with its lips rath-
er than its teeth. Grass forms
about two-thirds of its diet, but
in the dry season it also eats fall-
en leaves.
BANK VOLE
ORDER
Rodentia
FAMILY
Muridae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Ciethrionomys g/areo/us
The bank vole is one of the smallest species of vole found in
Europe. It lives in deciduous woodlands and hedgerows, where
it is often preyed upon by tawny owls and weasels.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Up to 5 in.
Weight: Up to 1 X oz.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 4-5 weeks.
Breeding season: Usually from
mid-April to December.
No. of young: 3-6 per litter; 4-5
litters per season.
Gestation: 17-21 days.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Usually solitary. Active in
short bursts, especially at dawn
and dusk.
Diet: Seeds, berries and other
fruits, bulbs, roots, and fungi.
lifespan: 2 years maximum, but
many die at a few months old.
RELATED SPECIES
Members of the family Muridae in-
clude the northern red-backed vole,
Ciethrionomys ruti/us, and the field
vole, Microtus agrestis.
THE BANK AND FIELD VOLES
Bank vole: Small , thickset , mouselike build.
Adult can be distinguished from the field
vole by its red-brown coat. However, the ju-
venile bank vole is grayer and less distinct.
Feeding: The bank vole nibbles a neat
hole in a hazelnut shell to extract the
nut. A roughly split or halved shell
may be the work of a squirrel.
MCMXCVI IMP BV/ IMP INC. WILDLIFE FACT FILETM
Range of the bank vole.
DISTRIBUTION
The bank vole is found throughout Europe, except for the far
north and parts of the Mediterranean region, and eastward to
Kazakhstan in Central Asia.
CONSERVATION
Despite habitat destruction across its range, the chemical poi-
soning of rivers, and its many predators, the bank vole is not
threatened.
PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Field vole: Fur is usually
grayish brown and sometimes
has a yellow-brown tinge on the
back. Short tail and small ears.
Feet: Have sharp claws for
gripping when running and for
clutching food when eating.
US P 6001 12 075 PACKET 75
The bank vole breeds often and quickly. It produces up to
five litters a yea" with three to six young in each litter. As a
result, its numbers can rapidly reach epidemic proportions.
This abundance is controlled naturally" however, since a
surge in the bank vole population is certain to be followed
closely by an increase in the number of its predators.
HABITS
The bank vole has several short
periods of activity throughout
the day and night, but it is most
active just before dawn and af-
ter dusk. It lives in undergrowth
along hedgerows and banks as
well as in thickets on the forest
floor. The bank vole has adapted
to a more open habitat in some
parts of its range, but it still seeks
cover from birds of prey.
The bank vole travels on paths
that have been worn through
the undergrowth or along tun-
nels that are dug just below the
surface. These routes form a net-
work across the animal's home
range, which is approximately
400 square feet. The bank vole
often digs a nest burrow in soft
soil between the roots of a tree
or shrub. The burrow may have
several entrances at the surface.
Bank voles can run, climb, and
swim very well. However, de-
spite their agility, large numbers
of them fall prey to weasels, kes-
trels, and owls.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Skomer vole is a "giant"
subspecies, approximately the
same length as the bank vole
but weighing twice as much.
It lives only on Skomer Island,
off the coast of Wales.
In some areas the bank vole
is considered a serious pest. It
FOOD &: FEEDING
The bank vole feeds on seeds,
nuts, fungi, roots, and bulbs. It
also eats berries and other fruit.
It forages along the forest floor
and in trees, eating whatever is
in season.
The bank vole gathers seeds,
berries, and nuts during the fall
to supplement its winter diet. It
digs a small, isolated hole, fills
it with food, and then covers it.
In some regions there are signs
that the bank vole digs special
food chambers that are con-
nected to its network of under-
ground tunnels.
Left: The bank vole's diet changes
with the seasons and varies with
its location.
Right: Although the bank vole is
usually solita'Yt individual territo-
ries may overlap.
strips bark from small trees, es-
pecially larches and elders. It
also eats the buds of young
conifer trees.
Ayoung bank vole calls out
to its mother with ultrasonic
squeaks that are too high for
humans to hear.
r' . NATUREWATCH l
Although its tiny size makes it it has been able to adapt to
vulnerable to predators, the small groves of trees and to
I bank vole is common in many farmland. It is even seen near
parts of Europe. water. The bank vole can be
It has suffered little from the quite difficult to spot. It often
loss of hedgerows and the appears as just a rusty brown
clearance of forests. Instead, streak on a woodland path.
BREEDING
Like many rodent species, the
bank vole has a short lifespan-
sometimes just a few months.
The animal therefore reaches
sexual maturity a few weeks af-
ter birth, and the female can pro-
duce as many as five litters in
one year.
The breeding season starts in

June. The season may continue
Left: The young are not helpless for
long. They leave the nest at a few
weeks old.
into December if there is plenty
of food.
After a gestation of 1 7 to 21
days, the female gives birth to
three to six young in an under-
ground nest chamber that she
has lined with grass, moss, and
feathers. The young are born
blind and hairless. They suckle
from their mother for two or
three weeks. Soon they are able
to breed, and females from the
first litter of the season may pro-
duce offspring later that year.
"" CARD 268 I
RIVER OTTER
______________________________ G_R_O_U_P_l _: M __
... ORDER ... FAMILY .. GENUS &: SPECIES
...... Carnivora ...... Mustelidae Lutra canadensis
The river otter is the only freshwater otter found in North America.
Like all otters, it is a powerful swimmer and a formidable
predator of fish, amphibians, and small aquatic mammals.
KEY FACTS
SIZES
Length: Head and body, 3-4 ft.
Tail, .
Weight: 17 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: 2 years, however
competition between males usual-
ly delays mating for an additional
3 years.
Mating season: Late winter to
early spring.
Gestation: 8-12 months.
No. of young: 1-5.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Family groups or solitary.
Diet: Mainly fish; also frogs, in-
sects, and small mammals.
Lifespan: Up to 16 years.
RELATED SPECIES
The genus Lutra contains 8 species.
Of these, the river otter is most
closely related to otters found in
the American tropics.
Range of the river otter.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in rivers and lakes in virtually all parts of North America,
from the edge of the Arctic tundra to the Gulf of Mexico.
CONSERVATION
As a group, otters have suffered badly from habitat destruc-
tion, the use of pesticides, and excessive trapping for their fur.
The river otter is becoming increasingly rare in the United
States and Canada.
FEATURES OF THE RIVER OTTER
Tail: Long and pow-
erful. Acts as a
rudder.
Eyes: Specially
adapted to en-
able the otter to
see equally well
above and below
the water.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILETM PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Feet: Webbed for swim-
ming. Clawed and padded
for digging a holt (den).
Body: Slender
and streamlined,
enabling the otter
to move quickly in
the water.
Coat: Predominantly brown
with lighter throat patch.
Sleek when wet.
0160200811 PACKET 81
The river otter is a sociable and playful animal that lives
in a family group in which both parents raise the young.
Because it has been extensively hunted for many years,
the river otter has become extremely wary of humans.
As a result, this animal is rarely seen in the wild.
~ H A B I T S
The river otter is found in riv-
ers and lakes in North America,
from the Arctic tundra's edge
to the Gulf of Mexico. It builds
its den and forages along the
shores of wooded streams. It
may travel many miles over-
land in its search for new river
basins, or ice-free water in the
winter. It usually has a loping
gait on land. On snowy ground,
however, it moves in a series of
three quick jumps followed by
a slide along the snow or ice.
The river otter's strong legs,
webbed feet, powerful tail, and
streamlined body make it an ex-
pert swimmer. When swimming
slowly, it paddles with all four
legs. To pick up speed, it moves
its entire hindquarters in swift,
up-and-down movements.
The river otter is mainly noc-
turnal but may be seen by day
in remote areas. It is active all
winter except in the worst con-
ditions, when it takes shelter
for a few days.
~ BREEDING
The river otter mates in late win-
ter or early spring. The gestation
period lasts 8 to 12 months be-
cause the development of the
egg may be delayed. The female
usually makes her holt, or den,
in an abandoned beaver lodge
or a burrow on the bank of a
stream or lake.
The female gives birth to one
to five kits (young). They are
fully furred but blind and help-
Left: The river otter lifts its head to
sniff for the scent of predators.
DID YOU KNOW?
The river otter likes to "to-
boggan" down snowy slopes
by sliding on its belly.
The river otter is able to see
equally well above and below
the water.
less. After 5 weeks their eyes be-
gin to open, and after 10 weeks
they venture from the den. The
female soon teaches them to
swim. At first she looks after the
litter, but the male often rejoins
t he family when the kits are six
months old. The offspring are
sexually mature at age two, but
competition among males usu-
ally keeps them from mating
until they are five years old.
Right: The river otter is becoming
increasingly rare in North America.
Left: The river
otter is sexually
mature at two
years of age
but seldom
breeds until it
has reached
five years.
On frozen lakes, river otters
l ump and slide at speeds of
up to 19 miles per hour.
In their travels on land, riv-
er otters cover as much as 55
miles each year.
~ FOOD & FEEDING
The river otter eats mostly fish,
including minnows, trout, cat-
fish, sculpins, and perch. In ad-
dition, it feeds on frogs, insects,
and small mammals like shrews,
muskrats, and young beavers. It
hunts by swimming on the wa-
ter's surface. When it sees prey it
dives down and following a brief
chase captures its victim in its
sharp teeth. It often feeds on fish
Left: The river otter often drags
larger prey onto land before de-
vouring it.
Left: With its
slender bod}/J
strong tail, and
webbed feet,
the river otter
is an excellent
swimmer. It can
swim from the
age of four
months.
while swimming on its back,
resting its meal on its chest.
An ingenious predator, the
river otter sometimes breaks
holes in beaver dams, waits for
the water to run out, and then
eats the stranded fish and frogs.
The river otter hunts at night,
often over a wide area. It swims
upstream to search for prey in
small inlets and streams. The
next day it hides in reedy lakes
and resumes hunting at night,
returning home in several days.
'" CARD 269 I
DORCAS GAZELLE
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~
ORDER
Artiodactyla
FAMILY
Bovidae
GENUS & SPECIES
Gazella dorcas
The graceful dorcas gazelle has been known to humans since
antiquity. Today, however, uncontrolled hunting is threatening its
existence, and only a few countries have taken protective measures.
"I KEY FACTS
I ~ I SIZES
~ Length: 3 - 3 ~ ft.
Height: About 2 ft.
Weight: 33-44 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Female, 9
months. Male, 18 months.
Breeding season: April to June.
Gestation period: 6 months.
No. of young: 1.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Social; lives in a herd.
Diet: Grasses, leaves, shoots, fruit,
other plant material, and locusts.
Call: A quacking sound when
alarmed.
Lifespan: 10-12 years or more.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 11 other species of ga-
zelle, including Grant's gazelle,
Gazella granti, and Thomson's ga-
zelle, G. thomsoni. Both of these
species are common on the plains
of East Africa.
Range of the dorcas gazelle.
DISTRIBUTION
Sparsely distributed throughout North Africa and from the
Middle East to Pakistan and eastern India.
CONSERVATION
Hunting and poaching have caused the dorcas gazelle to be-
come extinct throughout much of its former range. It is now
considered a threatened animal and is protected in Israel, So-
malia, and Tunisia.
FEATURES OF THE DORCAS GAZELLE
Male: Distinguished by long,
S-shaped, ridged horns that slope
backward. The horns are about
15 inches long.
Coat: Color
varies depending
on area. Gazelles
that live west of
the Nile River are
usually a sand
color, while those
east of the river
are a redder
tone. The belly
is usually paler,
and there is
a white area
around the
tail's base.
Calf: Weighs less than 4 pounds
at birth. It is slightly darker than its
parents, but its coat lightens witbin
a few weeks.
MCMXCII IMP BV/IMP INC WILDLIFE FACT FILET ... PRINTED IN U.S.A.
Female:
Identified by
her horns,
which display
the same ridged
pattern as the
male's horns but
are thinner and
steeper. They
are also about
half the size of
the male's horns,
measuring only
6 to 8 inches.
0160200621 PACKET 62
The dorcas gazelle is a slender, beautifully formed
small antelope that inhabits a range stretching from
North Africa to eastern India. Distinguished by the
ridged patterns of its horns, this graceful animal is
widely regarded as the classic gazelle, and it clearly
exhibits the defining features of this group. Like
other gazelles, it can run at great speeds.
~ H A B I T S
As the male dorcas gazelle ma-
tures, he becomes increasingly
territorial. He becomes especial-
ly territorial during the mating
season, when he uses an elabo-
rate ritual to mark his territory
with piles of manure.
The male dorcas gazelle be-
gins by scraping the ground sev-
eral times, first with one foreleg
and then with the other. Next,
he steps forward with his fore-
legs, stretching his hind legs be-
hind him and bringing his belly
close to the ground. He urinates
and then brings his hind legs
forward so that he is squatting.
Finally, he defecates on the site
where he has just urinated. Al-
though other male gazelles per-
form similar rituals, they are not
as complex.
During the breeding season, a
single male with a territory may
acquire and dominate a group
of females, along with their re-
cent offspring. Other herds are
made up of non breeding bach-
elors without territories, or there
may be groups that have mixed
sexes of all ages.
Right: The young dorcas gazelle is
fully weaned within a few months
of birth.
~ FOOD &: FEEDING
The dorcas gazelle is essential-
Iya browsing animal. It feeds
mainly in the morning and eve-
ning on grasses, herbs, and the
foliage of trees and shrubs. It
usually eats whatever is green-
est and most plentiful. During
spring or after a rainfall, for ex-
ample, it feeds mainly on fresh
grass. Later in the year it may
chew on leaves and fruit.
Dorcas gazelles roam widely
in small herds across the arid
Left: The ridges on dorcas ga-
zelles I horns may keep them
interlocked during battle.
DID YOU KNOW?
Inscriptions from ancient
Egyptian tombs suggest that
the dorcas gazelle was kept in
captivity as early as 2000 B.C.
The word dorcas is taken
from the Greek word dorkas,
meaning "gazelle."
Falcons and dogs are used
to hunt the dorcas gazelle for
its meat. The falcons strike
plains looking for vegetation.
Although predominantly plant
eaters, they may eat locusts if
there is no suitable vegetation.
The dorcas gazelle does not
require very much water. Un-
like many animals, it does not
need to drink directly from a
pond or pool. Instead, the dor-
cas gazelle is capable of absorb-
ing the moisture it needs from
succulent plants and fruits, such
as wild watermelons.
Right: By playing at fighting,
young dorcas gazelles learn how
to defend their future territories.
the gazelle near its head, and
t he dogs bring it down.
To confuse its enemies, the
dorcas gazelle uses a vertical
hopping movement called
stotting that is characteristic
of small antelope and gazelles.
The dorcas gazelle can run
very fast, reaching speeds of
40 miles per hour.
~ H A B I T A T
The dorcas gazelle lives in open
savannas, semi deserts, and des-
erts. Its range includes North
Africa and the Middle East, ex-
tending across a belt that is bor-
dered by the Sahara Desert and
the Mediterranean Sea. The
dorcas gazelle is scattered all
over the Arabian peninsula and
is found as far east as Pakistan
and India.
~ BREEDING
The male dorcas gazelle has a
special nasal fold that allows
him to sniff a potential mate's
urine and discover when she is
ready to mate. With his ears
spread sideways and his head
and neck outstretched, the
male chases the female. He
drives her in front and makes
gurgling sounds. When she
pauses, he may give her a light
kick with his foreleg. If she flees,
he may chase her until she con-
cedes. If she just continues walk-
ing, he follows behind, giving
an occasional kick. The male
Although the dorcas gazelle
prefers sandy areas with some
vegetation, it has adapted well
to desert conditions. It can sur-
vive in very hot and dry terrain.
The dorcas gazelle is some-
times a social animal, living in
herds of up to 40 individuals.
In parts of its range it appears
common, but the overall pop-
ulation has greatly shrunk.
sometimes needs several tries
before he mounts the female.
After a gestation period of six
months, the female gives birth
to one offspring, usually in the
spring. The newborn weighs
less than four pounds. At first it
is a darker color than its parents,
but it becomes lighter within a
week or two.
The female guards her calf for
the first few days and attempts
to hide it in the sparse under-
growth. The calf is soon able to
follow its mother and in a few
weeks can equal her in speed.
GIANT ARMADILLO
, , ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - -
~
ORDER
Edentata
FAMILY
Dasypodidae
GROUP 1: MAMMALS
GENUS & SPECIES
Priodontes maximus
With its thick protective plates, the giant armadillo looks more like
a heavily armored reptile than a mammal. It is the largest
of the 20 armadillo species in South America.
~ KEYFACTS __________________________ ~
I ~ I SIZES
~ Length: Head and body, 3 ~ ft.
Tail, 1 ~ ft.
Weight: 110-130 lb.
BREEDING
Sexual maturity: Unknown.
Gestation: Unknown.
No. of young: 1-2.
LIFESTYLE
Habit: Active mainly at night,
sleeping up to 19 hours a day.
Usually solitary.
Diet: Termites and other insects,
spiders, worms, and snakes.
Lifespan: Unknown.
RELATED SPECIES
There are 19 other armadillo spe-
cies in South America, including
the hairy armadillo, Chaetophrac-
tus vi/losus. The closely related
nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus
novemcinctus, ranges as far north
as the southern United States.
Range of the giant armadillo.
DISTRIBUTION
Found in South American forests and some grasslands, from
Venezuela to northern Argentina.
CONSERVATION
The continuing destruction of the Amazon rainforest threatens
the natural habitat of the giant armadillo. However, the animal
is protected in national parks and nature reserves in Colombia,
Peru, Brazil, and Suriname.
FEATURES OF THE GIANT ARMADillO
Skin: Covered with tough, bony plates over the
head, back, and sides. The plates on the back
are arranged in bands.
Tail: Powerful and armored, used for
protection when the animal is attacked.
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Eyes: Small.
The armadillo
relies mainly
on its excep-
tional sense
of smell to
find food
at night.
Forefeet: Very
powerful for dig-
ging and armed
with 5 claws. At
8 inches long,
the sharp mid-
dle claw is the
largest claw of
any animal.
US P 6001 12 078 PACKET 78
In Spanish the giant armadillos name means "armored
one"-a reference to the thick, horny plates that cover
the animals head, back, and flanks. The giant armadillo
is a shy creature that preys mainly on small animals such
as insects. It generally flees at the first sign of danger.
~ HABITAT
The giant armadillo is native to
South America. It has a wide
range but rarely ventures into
the cooler areas of the conti-
nent. As the growing human
population has forced the arma-
dillo into small, isolated groups,
its numbers have dwindled.
This shy, solitary creature lives
in the dense undergrowth of
tangled forest swamps. For up
to 19 hours each day, it sleeps
in a 6- to 10-foot-long burrow,
which it digs with its powerful
forefeet and sharp claws.
~ BREEDING
Scientists know little about the
breeding habits of the elusive
giant armadillo. But it is known
that if there are two offspring in
a litter, they develop from one
fertilized egg so that both have
identical genes. Known as poly-
embryony, this phenomenon
is rare among mammals. The
young have tough skin, and it
soon develops the protective,
horny scales of the adult.
Right: Although the young is heavi-
Iyarmored, it has a much softer
underside than that of the adult.
~ FOOD & HUNTING
In its few waking hours, which
are at night, the giant armadillo
searches for termite mounds as
well as anthills.
The animal uses its keen sense
of smell to find most of its food.
When it sniffs ants and termites
under the earth, it gouges out a
tunnel, digging frantically with
the long, curved middle claw
Left: The giant armadillo uses its
huge claws to dig up insects.
DID YOU KNOW?
A giant armadillo can hold
its breath for six minutes or
more. This is useful when its
snout is deep in a burrow.
While smashing a termite
mound with its strong fore-
feet, a giant armadillo can
on each forefoot. It may use its
armor-plated back to hold up
the roof of the tunnel while it
is digging.
When it reaches the anthill or
termite mound, it consumes the
insects that adhere to its sticky
tongue. The giant armadillo
supplements this diet with spi-
ders, small snakes, and leaves.
Right: The giant armadillo's hear-
ing and sense of smell are good.
-1
support itself with its hind legs
and tail.
The giant armadillo has up
to 100 teeth, more than any
other land mammal. Most of
these teeth fall out by adult-
hood, however.
The tough shield of the giant
armadillo is one of the most ef-
fective defenses in the animal
world. Made up of thick, horny
plates that are pinkish to brown
in color, the armor covers the
animal's head and back and ex-
tends down its sides. The plates
on this armadillo's back are ar-
ranged in bands, and those in
the middle are flexible to per-
mit maneuverability.
Although the giant armadillo
cannot curl up into a ball to de-
fend itself like smaller armadillo
species, its size and menacing
claws usually deter attackers.
The giant armadillo generally
flees when threatened and can
outrun most humans. Some
naturalists believe that the ar-
madillo senses vibrations from
footsteps that warn them of an
enemy's approach.