Have you ever heard of this absolutely adorable armadillo? Commonly known as the pink fairy armadillo, this is the cutest and tiniest armadillo species in the world. The little creature grows up to the size of a dollar. Spotting this tiny creature in the wild is an extremely rare occasion. This is because it spends most of its time underground. This nocturnal animal is mainly spotted in central Argentina, and learning about them is very interesting and challenging.
Mariella Superina, an armadillo researcher, worked for 13 years in its habitat. However, she never came across one. Therefore, the existing information regarding its population numbers or trends is not sufficient. These endearing creatures have a rose shell on their back which functions as a radiator. Also, they have a special ability to use their blood flow to regulate their internal body temperature. This is also how they get their fairy pink color. They usually feed on various insects and plant materials that they find by digging into the ground.
These creatures find it very hard to adjust to an unnatural diet. Therefore, if raised as pets, they would pass away within a few days. The only time you can catch them above ground is the rainy season. The annual rainfall in areas where pink fairy armadillos live barely reaches 8 inches. However, they are driven to the surface when storms occur. Also, their fur getting wet may affect their thermoregulation. So, if you find them interesting, check out the pics below and share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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