Armadillo shell bulletproof

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts1. Are all armadillos pretty much the same size?2. Armadillos are mostly found in South America. How did the nine-banded armadillo get to North America?3. For what does the armadillo use its long, sharp claws?4. In what language does "armadillo" mean "little armored one"?5. Armadillos are able to contract a disease that most animals can't, making them a useful animal for scientific research. What is the disease? 6. How does the armadillo stay afloat?7. What do most armadillos of the genus Dasypus have in common with the parents of the Smith quadruplets?8. What can you make from an armadillo shell?9. What do Smaug the dragon and North American armadillos have in common?10. Why does the North American nine-banded armadillo frequently end up as road kill?Source: Author BhethThis quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online. Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Empirical scientific evidence, supported by many researchers, suggests that it is improbable that the charango would have been born from the deformation of the European guitar. To the surprise of many skeptics, the standard model of the charango, echoing the design of Spanish guitar, is constantly evolving, resulting in a great diversity of charangos. Peru's most popular charangos resemble tiny guitars, but there are also those with soundboards made of plastic, fruit bark, animal horn, tin-cans, tortoise shell; in circular form, trapezoidal, triangular, in the shape of siren, concave or in the shape of an armadillo shell, and sometimes even made with an actual armadillo shell (in this case the charango is called a "quirquincho"). Some play the instrument with a pick, like the "Huancavelica", others simply play with the fingers. Charangos often are strung with "gut" strings, or metal or nylon with the strings strung doubled or tripled, with the third, second, fifth, or octaves. There are also five-string instruments. Like its European ancestors, the charango is "multiple", and it is that which gives it such richness. It can be played solo or accompanied by guitars, and provides a very important sonority to Andean folk ensembles. Its versatility allows the interpretation of all genres of music, from "Yaravi" (romantic, and sad), carnival music, "Waynos" (traditional dances), even the "wasichaky", a traditional "roof-raising" dance. There are actually several resources relating to the charango in which one may find substantial interesting historical information about the charango, including beautiful legends, myths, local traditions, information about charangists, etc… These works are of immense historical significance, and clearly portray the cultural importance the charango acquired, and how the diverse cultures of the Andes, and scientists see it and have developped it. In this manner, the charango was introduced into cosmopolitan world, facing new challenges in Peru, acquiring new dimensions abroad (like in the European malls Ecuadorian Otavaleños (inhabitants of Otavalo succeeded in introducing it into their traditional music, as well as the new popular groups of Chile). In this process of globalization, the charango, like it always has, inspires and embraces the influence of

Found in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia.©iStock.com/serikbaibHedgehogs are found in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. These cute mammals, with their beady little eyes, are tricksters. Their tactics for evading their predators include something called “anointing,” where they smear scents in their environments on some of their quills to evade detection. But the common form of defense we know of is their ability to roll into a tight ball and sometimes ram into their “enemies” with the pointy exterior. Like the pangolin, the quills on the back of the hedgehog are made from keratin, and the sharp pointy ends make predators wary. Their diet consists of insects, worms, and the occasional baby rodent or bird.4. ChitonChitons have an outer shell that is divided into eight shell plates shaped like a butterfly.©Haireena/Shutterstock.comChitons are mollusks that are found worldwide. Although they live in water, chitons are found around the rocky parts of the sea. They feed on algae as well as bacteria in the water. Chitons have an outer shell divided into eight shell plates shaped like a butterfly. This separation allows it to stick to hard surfaces or roll into a ball when touched. Humans, crabs, and fish are some common predators that hunt chitons. When a chiton dies, its shell disintegrates as the muscle that holds it also dies.5. Armadillo Girdled LizardArmadillo girdled lizards love to live in rocky places, especially on the slopes of mountains.©NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock.comNative to South Africa, armadillo-girdled lizards love to live in rocky places, especially on the slopes of mountains. You will find them mostly in desert areas, where they feast on spiders and other insects. Occasionally, they would eat specific plants. They have a thick, scaly back that acts as a shield when they roll into a ball. Unlike the other animals listed here, in this defensive posture, they put their tail in their mouths. They are not exactly formidable, but when they are curled up, predators can’t harm or eat them.6. Golden Wheel SpiderThe golden wheel spider is mildly venomous but not harmful to humans.©iStock.com/WirestockThis is another native South African inhabitant. It is mildly venomous but not harmful to humans. The golden wheel spider earns its name from its method of defense. It turns to its side and rolls down the dunes of the Namib Desert, where it primarily lives. Like some of the other animals here, it is nocturnal. It comes out at night to feed on other insects. An interesting fact about the wheel spider, as it is sometimes called, is that it does not produce webs. And while it has a lot of predators, pompilid wasps are its worst. They paralyze the spider with a sting and lay their eggs inside

The armadillo, pangolin, and hedgehog are common animals that roll into a ball. However, that list extends longer to include some unlikely creatures like spiders and aquatic animals.If you want to know what animals roll into a ball, you want to read this. But before we get to the list, let us look at why animals do this in the first place.As humans, when we are in distress and need comfort, we curl into fetal positions. Animals also have this instinct, but they do it for reasons that go beyond finding comfort in distress.1. As a defense mechanismFor some animals, the first and only way to defend themselves is to hide. Rolling into a ball-like shape presents the harder and sometimes more dangerous part of their body to their predator. This will deter and discourage the predator. 2. For movementHedgehogs have little trouble climbing up, but coming back down always presents a steeper challenge. But when they curl inward and drop down, the fall is cushioned by their exterior.3. For preservationCertain animals are unable to migrate as the season change. This puts them at risk of harsh elements during the colder and drier months. To preserve themselves, they curl into a ball shape to wait the weather out.7 Animals That Roll Into a BallNow that you know why they roll into balls, let us look at seven animals that do this.1. ArmadilloArmadillos are easily identified by their tough shell.©iStock.com/6381380Armadillos are natives of Southern America. They are easily identified by their tough shell, for which they are named. There are several species. Some are very big, like the giant armadillo, and some are quite small, like the aptly named pink fairy armadillo. But only the Tolypeutes species is capable of rolling into a ball. They do so whenever they feel threatened. Armadillos love to eat insects, grubs, and other non-vertebrates. They have very poor eyesight, but their keen sense of smell makes up for this defect.2. PangolinPangolins are found mostly in Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa.©Gemma Campling/Shutterstock.comSometimes referred to as scaly anteaters, pangolins are found mostly in Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. These shy creatures eat ants and termites and hunt for them with their tongues. They are the most trafficked mammals because of the high demand on the black market. This demand is linked to the features that make them one of the most unique mammals: their scales. The scales are made of keratin, the same material that makes up human nails. When the pangolin turns into a ball, the scales add an extra layer of defense because of how sharp they are. Sadly, some species have been hunted to extinction while others have been red-listed.3. HedgehogHedgehogs are

Though they may not be very cuddly, there’s no denying that armadillos are still incredibly cute creatures!Coming in a large range of sizes, armadillos are surprisingly talented mammalsThey are also among the few mammals that can lay eggs.If that’s not enough to spike your interest in these animals, these 30 facts about armadillos will certainly impress you!Armadillos were named by Spanish explorers – the name literally means “little armored thing.”There are 20 species of armadillos – only one of which lives in North America. The rest live in South America.Armadillos are the only mammals that have a body that is covered with a hard shell.These cute creatures live in grasslands, rainforests, and semi-arid locations.Armadillo sizes span from 5-59 inches (12-150cm) in length and 3-120 pounds (1.3-54 kg) in weight.The giant armadillos that reach 59 inches can have up to 100 teeth.Color ranges for armadillos vary between dark brown, black, red, gray, or even yellow!Contrary to popular belief, only one species of armadillo can curl up into a ball to defend itself against attacks.When it comes to other armadillos who can’t roll up, they will run or dig a hole in order to escape.Most armadillos are incapable of rolling into a ball because they have too many plates which limit their flexibility.The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae.Armadillos sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours per day!Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit.Their long sticky tongues help them for sucking up ants (including fire ants) and termites.Aside from just digging, armadillos have a fantastic sense of smell to find their food. This makes up for the fact that they have poor eyesight.Surprisingly, armadillos are good swimmers, and can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes.When they need to cross a large body of water, armadillos can gulp air into their intestines in order to become more buoyant.If an armadillo comes across an obstacle that it can’t burrow under, they can use their fantastic climbing abilities to go over the object!In the wild, armadillo’s life spans range from 4-7 years. In captivity, they can live 12-15 years.Because of their thin shells and low body fat, armadillos can’t maintain their internal temperature like most other mammals do.Armadillos are not social animals – they only get together with other armadillos to mate or keep warm.The gestation period for armadillos ranges from 2 to 5 months. From one egg there are 4 baby armadillos!The armadillo babies are born without the bony plates. They develop after a few weeks, with the soft skin turning into the hard armor we know of.In its lifetime, an armadillo can have up to 56 young over the course of her life.Armadillos do their foraging during the morning and evenings.Surprisingly enough, armadillos can run up to 30mph (48km/h)! This helps them outrun their predators almost effortlessly.Armadillo shells have been traditionally used in making a South American lute instrument called a charango.Due to