Armadillos are mammals that have a backbone, therefore they are vertebrates. Vertebrates are members of the subphylum Vertebrata, chordates that are equipped with backbones or spinal columns. Vertebrates are also the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include jawless fish, bony fish, sharks, rays, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. This group consists of 97% of all animal species, except for those who are vertebrates. Invertebrates form a paraphletic group. Given a common multicellular, eukaryotic ancestor, all contained phyla are invertebrates along with two to three subphyla in Phylum Chordata, Tunicata and Cephalochordata.
Armadillos being that they are vertebrates are equipped with armor. This armor is formed by plates of dermal bone covered in relatively small, overlapping epidermal scales that are called “scutes”. These scutes are composed of bone with a covering of horn. In most species of armadillos, rigid shields over the shoulders and hips, with a number of bands separated by flexible skin cover the back and flanks of the creature. Additional armor covers the top of the creature’s head, the upper parts of the limbs as well as the tail. The underside of the armadillo is never armored, and is instead simply covered with a soft skin and fur.
The armadillo’s armor-like skin appears to be its main defense, although most have also been known to escape from their predators by fleeing or digging to safety. Only the South American three-banded armadillo is known to rely heavily upon their armor for protection.
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