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Physical Description

Three-banded armadillos are various shades of brown. The hard carapace covering their bodies develops from the skin and is composed of strong, bony plates, called scutes. The tail, top of head and the outer surfaces of the limbs are also usually armored.

When frightened, they will roll up almost all the way until their armor forms a trap that snaps closed on their predator's hand or paw. The shell also helps protect them from the thorny vegetation that armadillos frequently pass through. The under surface is soft, hairy skin. The carapace is not attached to the skin on the two sides, allowing the head, legs and tail to tuck inside when the animal rolls into a ball. This works well against most predators, but unfortunately has made La Plata three-banded armadillos easy prey to human hunters.

Three-banded armadillos usually weigh about 3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) and have 12-inch (30-centimeter) long bodies and 2.5-inch (6-centimeter) long tails.

Native Habitat

The range of La Plata three-banded armadillos includes parts of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. They live in open, grassy areas, open forests and marshes. They do not dig burrows like most armadillos, but use the abandoned burrows of anteaters when they can get them.

Communication

Armadillos use their sense of smell to determine the identity and sexual condition of other armadillos.

Food/Eating Habits

They use their well-developed sense of hearing and smell to detect both predators and prey. In the wild they feed primarily on ants and termites, which they obtain using their powerful forelegs and claws.

At the Smithsonian's National Zoo, La Plata three-banded armadillos are fed soaked insectivore diet and mealworms.

Reproduction and Development

The male's penis is one of the longest among mammals, extending two-thirds of the body length in some species. This may be necessary to extend past the carapace to the female's vaginal opening. Other than that, little information is available regarding reproduction in this species. Breeding is believed to take place between October and January. After a 120-day gestation period, females give birth to only one young that is about the size of a golf ball. Newborns look like miniature adults and become independent after 72 days.

These armadillos usually live 15 to 20 years. While well-protected, armadillos are vulnerable to predation. Juvenile mortality can be twice that of adults; many juvenile deaths are due to predation from coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, some raptors and even the domestic dog.

Loss of habitat has been substantial throughout the range of La Plata three-banded armadillos; however, this species is capable of adapting to minor modifications to its habitat. While their defense mechanism of curling into a ball is suitable for protection from natural predators, this makes them particularly susceptible to hunters and poachers, who can simply reach down and pick up the animals. They experience high morbidity during transit, making collection for the pet trade an even greater threat to their survival. In South America, natives use armadillo carapaces to make musical instruments. These instruments, which are called charongos, are similar to mandolins.

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Physical Description Three-banded armadillos are various shades of brown. The hard carapace covering their bodies develops from the skin and is composed of strong, bony plates, called scutes. The tail, top of head and the outer surfaces of the limbs are also usually armored.

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In one stride, an ostrich can cover up to 16 feet (4.9 meters)-about the length of a mid-size family car! The bird is speedy, too. It can run just over 40 miles (64 kilometers) an hour for a short distance, and can keep up a speed of more than 30 miles (48 kilometers) an hour over longer distances. The ostrich uses its short wings for balance, holding them outstretched when it runs.

Strong legs can also be used for self-defense. An ostrich will kick with a force mighty enough to kill a lion.

When danger approaches, an ostrich will often lie low to hide, stretching its neck along the ground. Its feather colors blend with the sandy soil where it lives. From far away, it looks like the ostrich has buried its head in the sand. Many people thought that was what ostriches did when they were trying to hide, but that is a myth. Ostriches live near grazing animals such as wildebeest, antelopes, and zebras. The grazers stir up insects and rodents for the ostriches to eat, and the ostriches warn the grazers to dangers such as approaching lions.

An ostrich group, called a herd, numbers about 12 individuals. Male ostriches compete for control of a group of several females. A herd has a dominant male and a dominant female. She mates only with him, though he may mate with other females as well. All the egg-laying females, called hens, lay their eggs in the nest of the dominant female. Then that female-whose eggs are positioned in the center of the nest, the most well-protected spot-and her mate take care of all the eggs in that one nest. Each egg can be up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) long and weigh 3 pounds (1.5 kilograms)!

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The ostrich is the tallest and the heaviest of all birds. While the huge ostrich is a bird, it does not fly. Instead it runs. One stride can cover up to 16 feet (4.9 meters)-about the length of a mid-size family car! The bird is speedy, too.

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The springbok, or springbuck, is a slender antelope of southern Africa. It is the national animal of South Africa, and the namesake of the country's rugby team. The scientific name for the springbok is Antidorcas marsupialis.

Springboks stand about 30 inches (75 centimeters) high and weigh about 90 pounds (40 kilograms). Their backs are a reddish brown. A dark line separates the brown color from the white underside. Springboks have a dark stripe across the face. Both sexes have horns, which are never shed. The horns of the rams (males) are thicker than those of the ewes (females).

Springboks are closely related to gazelles. However, springboks have fewer lower teeth than gazelles, and springboks also have a distinctive white-haired flap of skin on the back. Underneath the flap of skin is a clump of white hair. When the animal is excited, the clump of white hair is raised.

Sometimes a springbok jumps into the air with its back arched and its legs held together. It can jump more than 10 feet (3 meters) straight up. This kind of display is called pronking. Some experts believe that pronking is the springbok's demonstration of fitness, intended to discourage would-be predators. If necessary, springboks can run more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour. Springboks are herd animals, and the herds in southern Africa once numbered many thousands of individuals. Springboks eat grass and leaves. They drink water when it is available, but they can usually get all the moisture they need from vegetation.

Springboks mate year-round; males spar with their horns for control of mating territory. Springbok lambs are born after a gestation period of about six months.

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The springbok, or springbuck, is a slender antelope of southern Africa. It is the national animal of South Africa, and the namesake of the country's rugby team. The...

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They're seriously tall and super speedy - check out our fascinating ostrich facts!

Scientific name: Struthio camelus
Family name: Struthionidae
Classification: Bird
IUCN status: Least concern
Lifespan (in wild): 30-40 years
Weight: More than 150kg
Body length: 2.1-2.7m tall
Top speed: 70km/h
Diet: Omnivore
Habitat: Grassland, savannah and open woodland
Range:

Found across Africa's hot savannahs and open woodland, the ostrich is the world's largest bird. It stands up to a massive 2.7m tall and weighs as much as 159kg - that's around 1m taller than the average man, and the weight of two men combined!

This flightless bird has a long, bare neck, long, sturdy legs and a bulky body covered with feathers. Males and females have different coloured feathers - males sport black plumage with a white tail, and females are mostly brown. Both sexes have small heads, a short, wide beak and big brown eyes protected by long dark lashes.

The ostrich might not be able to fly, but boy can it run! Using its long legs, powerful thighs and strong feet, this big bird can cover five metres in a single stride and reach speeds of over 70km per hour! When zooming along at such mega speeds, it holds out its short wings to help it balance.

This brilliant bird's strong legs don't only carry the ostrich where it wants to go - they're super effective when it comes to self-defence. If an ostrich is cornered by a hungry predator, such as a , , or , it will kick with a force powerful enough to kill! And check this out, each two-toed foot is armed with a ten centimetre sharp claw, too, so predators had better beware!

With their tall height and excellent eyesight, these amazing creatures are great at spotting potential predators from far away. But if danger gets too close for comfort, the ostrich will often lie low to hide, stretching its neck along the ground. Its coloured feathers help it to blend in with the sandy soil where it lives. Have you ever heard that ostriches bury their head in the sand to hide? Well, as funny as that sounds, it's not true! But from far away, depending what position the ostrich takes, it can sure look that way, hence how the myth began.

Ostriches are mainly vegetarian, eating roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. But they will also eat insects, lizards and other small creatures, too. They generally live in the vicinity of grazing animals such as wildebeest, antelopes and zebras, and together they form a great partnership - the grazers stir up insects and rodents for the ostriches to eat, and the ostriches help alert the grazers to dangers such as approaching lions.

Ostriches live in groups, called herds, generally made up of around 12 individuals. Males compete with one another for control of several females (or hens), and the winner becomes the leader of the herd. Each group also has a dominant hen, she will only mate with the alpha male, but he may mate with other females in the herd as well.

During breeding season, the alpha male makes a nest in the ground and attempts to attract females by, believe it or not, dancing! His impressive moves include dropping to the ground, shaking his wings and tail, and swaying his head and neck from side to side. After mating, the hens lay their eggs in the nest. But these are no ordinary eggs, gang - they're the largest eggs in the world, averaging around 15cm long and weighing up to a mega 1.5kg!

The main female may lay up to 11 eggs, which are positioned in the centre of the communal nest where they're safest, and the other hens lay between two to six eggs. The alpha male and dominant female then look after the nest, taking it in turns to incubate the eggs.

After about 40 days, the new chicks hatch, all feathered and ready to walk! Within days, they leave the nest to follow their parents, who protect them from the hot sun or rain by keeping them huddled under their body or outstretched wings. By the time the young ostriches are 18 months old, they are fully grown and have become record-breaking birds, just like their parents. Impressive, eh?

What did you make of our ostrich facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Credits
Text adapted from feature by Catherine D. Hughes
Pictures - Baby ostriches hatching: Des and Jen Bartlett. Ostrich head: Stephen St. John. Ostrich family: Niserin, Dreamstime. Ostrich standing in tall grass: Tim Laman. Ostrich running: Matthewgsimpson, Dreamstime. Ostrich distribution map: National Geographic Maps.

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Ostrich facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Ostrich facts: Learn about the ostrich, with facts about this big bird's characteristics, diet, habitat and behaviour, plus facts about ostrich eggs.

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Overview

"Where I live"

Southern three-banded armadillos are found primarily in dry forests and grasslands of Argentina, Boiva, Brazil, and Paraguay. They can also be found in and around agricultural fields. Although mainly nocturnal, armadillos may be a bit more active during the day when the weather is cooler.

"How I live there"

Southern three-banded armadillos are small mammals covered in an armor of hard, bony plates called . Thanks to this armor, three-banded armadillos can move around confidently each night in search of ants and termites. During the day these armadillos rest in burrows to keep cool and safe. Southern three-banded armadillos rarely dig their own burrows, prefering to take over the abandoned burrows of other animals. If none are available, they will make temporary nests out of grasses and leaves.

"Making my mark"

The bony plates (scutes) of armadillos make them instantly recognizable. In southern three-banded armadillos, this protective adaptation goes a step further. When threatened, a southern three-banded armadillo can roll completely into a ball, shielding its soft belly. Small gaps between the curled-up armadillo's scutes can pinch the skin or fingers of predators that try to pry open this potential meal.

"What eats me"

The bony armor of three-banded armadillos protects them from most animals. However, large mammals like jaguars and maned wolves can successfully hunt members of this species. Because their predators are mainly nocturnal, young armadillos will venture out in the late afternoon to return to the safety of their burrows earlier in the evening.

Southern three-banded armadillos are occasionally hunted by people for food, scute collecting, or the pet trade. Their defense strategy of curling into a ball makes these armadillos easy for humans to catch, meaning that humans can potentially become a major threat to southern three-banded armadillos.

Raising Young

Not much is known about three-banded armadillo reproduction and raising of young. Males and females may have overlapping home ranges that help them find mates. After mating, each quickly returns to its own burrow. After a 120-day gestation period, females give birth to one offspring. The infant armadillo looks like a smaller version of the adult, but has softer scutes. Young armadillos are raised by the female only, and are independent in just 72 days. After leaving its mother's care, a young southern three-banded armadillo may share a home range with its mother for a short time.

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Southern Three-banded Armadillo | The Maryland Zoo

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The southern three-banded armadillo is one of only two armadillo species that can curl into a ball completely.

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In the 1980s, about 4.5 million monarchs spent winter on the coast of California and northern Mexico every year. "There would be these forests full of monarch butterflies looking like leaves on trees," Elizabeth Crone told TIME for Kids. Crone is a professor at Tufts University, in Massachusetts. She studies the species.

GEORGE ROSE-GETTY IMAGES

In 2020, fewer than 2,000 monarchs were counted in California. This means their population has dropped more than 99%. "The decline has been pretty staggering," says Hillary Sardiñas of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). In the West, "folks haven't seen monarchs in a number of years."

To change that, CDFW, River Partners, and other groups began last year to plant 30,000 milkweeds in California. Monarchs need milkweed to survive. Will this plan save the insect from extinction?

Monarchs and Milkweed

Monarchs have a "very specific relationship" to milkweed, Sardiñas says. They breed only where milkweed is growing. Females lay eggs on it, and monarch caterpillars eat it. The plant is poisonous to many animals, but not to monarchs. Its toxins build up in the butterfly's body, making the monarch deadly to predators.

COURTESY CHERYL SCHULTZ

In California, milkweed is "virtually gone" because of farming, says Cheryl Schultz, of Washington State University. She's an adviser on the project. The goal, Schultz says, "is to get enough milkweed into the landscape so that when monarchs are migrating and leave the coast, they can find places to breed." Wildflowers such as lupine have also been planted. They provide the nectar monarchs need to fuel their migration.

COURTESY RIVER PARTNERS

In North America, there are two groups of monarch butterflies. Eastern monarchs live east of the Rocky Mountains. They migrate south to Mexico in the fall and fly back north in the spring. Western monarchs live west of the Rockies. In the fall, they migrate to California and northern Mexico. In the spring, they fly inland × inland SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY-NASA/GETTY IMAGES away from the coast (adverb) As the hurricane approached, we traveled inland. .

Both groups are in decline. Scientists blame habitat loss, climate change, and pesticides. But monarch butterflies aren't on the endangered-species list. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service said last year that monarchs deserved protection but that other species needed more help.

In the Field

On a windy day in March, Asia Jones, of River Partners, led a 15-person crew at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area. The Northern California site is one of eight planting locations. Each person carried a bucket of 100 milkweed rhizomes × rhizome NUJALEE-GETTY IMAGES a thick plant stem that grows underground and has shoots and roots growing from it (noun) People use a ginger plant's rhizome to spice up their dishes. . "They'd walk in a straight line down a row, and every three feet, they'd dig a quick hole and throw in a rhizome," Jones says. Together, they planted 4,500 rhizomes. They also spread lupine seeds.

COURTESY RIVER PARTNERS

COURTESY RIVER PARTNERS

Data from the next western monarch count, by the Xerces Society, is due in January. "People like to see these bright-colored orange butterflies," Crone says. But Schultz thinks it will take "at least a decade" to note a significant increase in their numbers. "Restoring the habitat takes time," she says. "We're not going to see results overnight. . . . But I have an incredible sense of hope that we can do this."

You Can Help

TEDDI YAEGER PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES; MARKO GEBER-GETTY IMAGES (INSET BUTTERFLY); COMPOSITE BY STEPHEN BLUE FOR TIME FOR KIDS

Do your part to protect monarch butterflies. "What I want kids to do is get engaged," says Hillary Sardiñas, of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Plant native milkweed. Grow wildflowers. If you are in the West and see a monarch, take a photo. Upload it to the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper. "You can help track the migrating monarchs and understand where they are during the year," Sardiñas says. "That's super valuable information to us."

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In the 1980s, about 4.5 million monarchs spent winter on the coast of California and northern Mexico every year. "There would be these forests full of monarch butterflies looking like leaves on trees," Elizabeth Crone told TIME for Kids. Crone...