Armadillos are able to swim. In fact they are excellent swimmers, enjoy swimming and can stay under water for long periods of time. They are able to hold their breath underwater for 6 to 8 minutes. This creature does so by gulping in water until it gets heavy enough to sink, and then breathes in air in order to float back up to the top of the surface.
When the creature must cross a stream or a pond, it compensates for the excess weight of its plates by partaking in the gulping process. This inflates its intestines which makes the armadillo buoyant enough to swim short distances. If gulping additional air does not work for the creature, the armadillo can simply walk across the bottom of the stream or pond. Bodies of water are no problem for this creature. These animals are strong at paddling and their ability to cross streams and ponds with such ease has helped them expand their home range.
L says
I just wanted to point out that the 1st paragraph of the answer provided is incorrect. They don’t drink water to sink as their plates are heavy enough to weigh them down. They wouldn’t be able to breathe in air to rise to the surface if they are submerged underwater. As the second paragraph correctly states, they are strong enough to swim to the surface; once to the surface, if they have to swim further, they can then gulp in air in order to make lighten themselves and make swimming easier.
Dixie says
L says, thank you for answering my unspoken questions. I was wondering about those very things.