A powerful digger (3), the large hairy armadillo either builds simple burrows for temporary shelter or more complex branching burrows where it resides for longer periods (4). Activity varies between the seasons, being mostly nocturnal in the summer to avoid the heat of the day, but changing to diurnal during the winter. A variety of prey is taken, using a range of unusual foraging techniques including forcing its head into the ground and turning its body to make a conical hole, thereby exposing subterranean invertebrates. It has also been observed to pounce upon small snakes, slicing them with the bottom edge of the body shell. When threatened, the large hairy armadillo will run towards the nearest hole, or attempt to burrow into the ground. If, however, it is unable to escape, this species will draw up its feet, so that the bottom of the shell is level with the ground. When pursued into its burrow, the large hairy armadillo will wedge itself tightly against the walls, by bending its back and thrusting out its feet (3). Although the large hairy armadillo is known to breed during September in Argentina (3), most information about its reproductive biology currently comes from observations of captive animals (4). After a gestation period of 60 to 75 days, the female usually gives birth to two young, which are suckled for a further 50 to 60 days (3) (4). The large hairy armadillo reaches sexual maturity at around 9 months old, and has been known to live for over 23 years in captivity (3).
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