Armadillos are New World mammals recognizable by the distinctive, bony plates forming an armored shell. Found across the Americas, they belong to the order Cingulata, making them relatives of sloths and anteaters. Armadillos use powerful claws and keen senses to forage, with their diverse diet centering heavily on prey hidden beneath the soil.
The Primary Diet of Invertebrates
The armadillo’s diet consists primarily of invertebrates, with insects making up the vast majority of their food intake. They are highly adapted to finding and consuming prey beneath the soil surface. Favorite food sources include subterranean larvae (grubs) and earthworms, which are abundant in moist environments.
Beetles, grasshoppers, and cockroaches are frequently consumed. Some species, such as the giant armadillo, are specialized hunters focusing intensely on social insects like ants and termites. Estimates suggest a single animal may eat up to 200,000 ants in one day.
Armadillos also seek out other ground-dwelling invertebrates, including spiders, snails, and scorpions. Because they rely on digging, their diet often shifts based on the season and the soil’s moisture level. Their consistent consumption of insects helps control various agricultural and yard pests.
Supplemental and Opportunistic Foods
While insects form the bulk of their sustenance, armadillos are omnivores consuming other food types when the opportunity arises. They eat small vertebrates, such as lizards, frogs, and snakes, though this is not a regular part of their diet. Eggs are a highly sought-after protein source, especially those found in the nests of ground-nesting birds and reptiles, including sea turtles.
When live prey is scarce, armadillos scavenge for carrion, consuming the flesh and the fly larvae (maggots) found within dead animals. They also supplement their meals with plant matter, although this is a minor component of their intake. Plant consumption includes fungi, roots, tubers, and various fallen fruits and berries.
Foraging Behavior and Acquisition of Prey
Armadillos rely on a highly developed sense of smell to locate food, compensating for poor eyesight. They can detect insects and grubs buried as deep as eight inches beneath the soil surface. Once food is located, they use powerful, shovel-like foreclaws to rapidly excavate the ground.
This digging behavior results in small, conical holes, allowing them to access the underground burrows and tunnels of their prey. To extract insects and other invertebrates, armadillos employ a long, sticky tongue. Their teeth are small, peg-like molars suited for grinding the crunchy exoskeletons of insects.