An armadillo remembers where his burrow is by the orange near the opening, but when the orange rolls away, he discovers a new way to find his home.

Armadillos may look funny, move oh-so-slowly, and smell a little stinky but readers can learn how extraordinary they are in this Step 3 book! Did you know that armadillos can jump three feet in the air to scare away predators? They can hold their breath underwater for 10 minutes, and they’ve been known to eat 40,000 bugs in a single meal! Follows a female armadillo as she forages for food, builds a home, and prepares for the birth of her baby pups while learning quirky and cool facts about the amazing armadillo! Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots about popular topics--for children who are ready to read on their own.

"This informative and appealing introduction to armadillos covers the growth and development of a mother and her four pups"--Amazon.com.

These little armored mammals are the only of their kind to wear protective shells. While most species are found outside the United States, the nine-banded armadillo is the only American species. Read all about these shielded creatures in this interesting title for young readers.

Though the nine-banded armadillo is the only one that lives in the United States, there are about 20 species of armadillos throughout the Americas. This book introduces young readers to these amazing armored animals. It features great photographs of everything from baby armadillos to armadillos looking for their creepy-crawly dinners.

Meet the armadillo! Learn about how this unique mammal uses its boney shell for protection. Elementary-aged readers will discover armadillos of all shapes and sizes, ranging from tiny pups to the adult giant armadillo. Full color images and clear explanations highlight the habitat, diet, and lifestyle of these fascinating creatures. A South American folktale explains how the armadillo's shell became a musical instrument.

The word armadillo is Spanish for “little armored one.” This midsize mammal that looks like a walking tank is a source of fascination for many people but a mystery to almost all. Dating back at least eleven million years, the nocturnal, burrowing insectivore was for centuries mistaken for a cross between a hedgehog and a turtle, but it actually belongs to the mammalian superorder Xenarthra that includes sloths and anteaters. Biologists W. J. Loughry and Colleen M. McDonough have studied the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) for more than twenty years. Their richly illustrated book offers the first comprehensive review of everything scientists know about this unique animal. Engaging both scientists and a broader public, Loughry and McDonough describe the armadillo’s anatomy and physiology and all aspects of its ecology, behavior, and evolution. They also compare the nine-banded armadillo with twenty or so other, related species. The authors pay special attention to three key features of armadillo biology—reproduction, disease, and habitat expansion—and why they matter. Armadillos reproduce in a unique and puzzling manner: females always give birth to litters of genetically identical quadruplets, a strategy not found in any other vertebrates. Nine-banded armadillos are also the only vertebrates except for humans known to contract leprosy naturally. And what about habitat expansion? The authors suggest that the armadillo’s remarkable spread across the southeastern United States may be the consequence of its most notable feature: a tough, protective carapace. Biologists, evolutionists, students, and all those interested in this curious creature will find The Nine-Banded Armadillo rich in information and insight. This comprehensive analysis will stand as the definitive scientific reference for years to come and a source of pleasure for the general public.