General description: Slightly convex shell, dorsally flattened, dark brownish-gray with cream-colored margins (Canevari and Vaccaro, 2017; Chebez et al., 2014), with long hairs on the shell. Both the face and the extremities are dark, almost black (Canevari and Vaccaro, 2017). Long, straight claws. Short ears. Short frontal shield with more rounded contours. Similar to the large armadillo (Ch. villosus), but much smaller. Weighs around 1 kg.
Distinctive features: Small ears, large size of the marginal shields of the shell, which resemble the teeth of a saw.
No sexual dimorphism is observed.
Habitat: Inhabits steppes and desert grasslands with scrubby bushes and exposed soils.
Distribution: Near the Andes, west and south of Argentina (Canevari and Vaccaro, 2017). San Luis, San Juan, and southwest Buenos Aires to the southernmost tip of Santa Cruz (2). It is locally common. As of 27/12/2019, Ecoregistros has 37 records, corresponding to the following provinces: Santa Cruz 29.7%, Mendoza 18.9%, Chubut 13.5%, La Pampa 13.5%, Rio Negro 10.8%, Neuquén 8.1%, Córdoba 2.7%, Buenos Aires 2.7%.
Behavior: It has solitary and diurnal habits.
Refuge: Shallow burrows that it digs skillfully.
Feeding: Insects, spiders, scorpions, worms, small vertebrates, roots, and legume pods.
Predators: Adult predators include pumas, jaguars, foxes, and eagles. Predators of the young include weasels, ferrets, iguanas, and some snakes.
Compiled by: Manuel Godoy
Bibliography
Canevari M. y O. Vaccaro. 2007. Guia de Mamíferos del Sur de América del Sur. L.O.L.A.
Chebez J. C., U. Pardiñas y P. Teta. 2014. Mamiferos Terrestres Patagonia Sur de Argentina y Chile. Vazquez Mazzini Editores.