bruises. Another advantage of the armor is that it makes it much harder for a predator to eat an armadillo.

An armadillo does not just rely on its armor, though. It has a couple of other tricks. When an armadillo spots a predator, it first tries to run away. A scared armadillo darts for the safety of its burrow. A burrow is an underground home.

But that’s just the beginning. If an armored armadillo cannot get away, it hides in its shell. First it tucks in its legs and ears. Then it rolls its shell together. It turns itself into a living ball. It’s an animal roll-up.

Most hungry hunters don’t know how to eat an armadillo roll-up. They can prod and poke and toss the roll-up around, but they cannot find a tasty bite to eat.

  • 3 Finally, the armadillo tucks its tail next to its head. Now the shell covers the animal’s whole body.

    Photograph of an armadillo completely tucked into its shell, looking like a ball

  • 4 After rolling itself into a ball, the armadillo is safe. Predators cannot find a tasty morsel to eat.

    Photograph of an armadillo completely tucked into its shell, looking like a ball
Key Vocabulary

  • advantage n., something that helps

In Other Words

  • darts for runs to

  • roll-up that looks like a ball

  • prod and poke push and hit it

Before You Move On

  • 1. Describe Use the photos and details from the text to tell what an armadillo looks like.

  • 2. Cause and Effect What does the armadillo do to protect itself against a threat?