Armadillos are one of the oldest groups of mammals. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus, Say it: DAZZ-ee-puss NOH-VEMM-sink-TUSS) can consume up to 40,000 ants in one sitting. Armadillos are one of only a few mammals that can be infected with Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy in humans. Armadillos maintain their body temperature at 31 degrees centigrade, 8 degrees below humans and most other mammals.
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Nine-banded Armadillo
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