Facts about Pink Fairy Armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)

Geographic Range

Pink fairy armadillos (or pichiciegos) are found in the warm sandy plains of Argentina.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Historic Range:
Argentina

Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species Program

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Morphology

Physical Description

The pink fairy armadillo is the smallest member of the armadillo family, measuring only about five to six inches in length. It is also the only armadillo in which the dorsal shell is almost separate from the body.

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Habitat

Habitat and Ecology

Habitat and Ecology

This poorly known, nocturnal species is found in dry grassland and sandy plains with shrubby vegetation.

Systems

Terrestrial

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Habitat

These armadillos prefer to burrow in very dry soil. They leave their burrows if it is moistened by rainfall. These animals often burrow near anthills, so that they can be close to their food source.

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Trophic Strategy

Food Habits

These armadillos are omnivores, but they feed mainly on ants. Occasionally they eat worms, snails, and various plant and root materials.

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Life Expectancy

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

Observations: Little is known about the longevity of these animals but one specimen lived 4.3 years in captivity (Richard Weigl 2005). Their maximum longevity may be much longer, though.

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0)

Source: AnAge

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Reproduction

Baby armadillos resemble their parents, but their shells do not completely harden until they are full grown.

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Molecular Biology

Statistics of barcoding coverage: Chlamyphorus truncatus

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

Source: Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD)

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List Assessment

Red List Category

DD

Data Deficient

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2010

Assessor/s

Superina, M. & Abba, A.M.

Reviewer/s

Roig, V.G. & Seitz, V.

Contributor/s

Roig, V.G.

Justification

Chlamyphorus truncatus is listed as Data Deficient as there is little information on the population status of this species, and its biology and ecology are poorly known. Throughout its range there is extensive habitat degradation, especially from cattle, but the actual effect on the populations are not well understood. The species remains a priority for further survey work, as the availability of additional information may well show that the species requires listing as Near Threatened or in a threatened category.

History

2008

Data Deficient

(IUCN 2008)
2006

Near Threatened

(IUCN 2006)
1996

Endangered
1994

Insufficiently Known

(Groombridge 1994)
1990

Insufficiently Known

(IUCN 1990)
1988

Insufficiently Known

(IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986

Insufficiently Known

(IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982

Insufficiently Known

(Thornback and Jenkins 1982)

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Conservation Status

The pink fairy armadillos are declining in number due to the spread of human civilization, and they are considered quite rare.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Current Listing Status Summary

Status: Endangered
Date Listed: 06/02/1970
Lead Region: Foreign (Region 10)
Where Listed:

Population detail:

Population location: entire
Listing status: E

For most current information and documents related to the conservation status and management of Chlamyphorus truncatus , see its USFWS Species Profile

Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species Program

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Trends

Population

Population

It may be relatively rare, but nothing is known about its population size or trend.

Population Trend

Unknown

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Threats

Major Threats

Habitat conversion due to agriculture (ploughing of fields) and cattle ranching (compaction of soil) are the predominant threats this species is facing, but predation by domestic cats and dogs is also contributing to its decline.

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Management

Conservation Actions

Conservation Actions

It is present in a number of protected areas including Lihué Calel National Park in La Pampa (9,905 ha), and some provincial protected areas in Mendoza. There is national and provincial legislation specifically in place for its protection, such as Provincial Law 6599 Mendoza. Further studies into the population status, demography and ecology of this species are needed.

Source: IUCN

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Benefits

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

None

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Not much is known about their economic importance to humans or other animals.

Trusted

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Pink fairy armadillo

The pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus) or pichiciego is the smallest species of armadillo (mammals of the family Dasypodidae, mostly known for having a bony armor shell). It is found in central Argentina, where it inhabits dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cacti.

Characteristics

Pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus)

The pink fairy armadillo is approximately 90–115 mm (3.5-4.5 inches) long, excluding the tail, and is pale rose or pink in color. It has the ability to bury itself completely in a matter of seconds if frightened.

It is a nocturnal animal. It burrows small holes near ant colonies in dry soil, and feeds mainly on ants and ant larvae near its burrow. Occasionally, it feeds on worms, snails, insects and larvae, or various plant and root material.

The pink fairy armadillo spends much of its time under the ground, as it is a "sand swimmer" similar to the golden mole or the marsupial mole. It uses large front claws to agitate the sand, allowing it to almost swim through the ground like it is water. It is torpedo-shaped, and has a shielded head to prevent abrasion from the sand.

Status

Pink fairy armadillo

In 1996, the species was classed as endangered by the IUCN,^[2] then upgraded to "near threatened" in 2006, and in 2008 changed to "data deficient",^[2] despite concern over habitat destruction, particularly due to cattle farming.^[2]

This armadillo is found in several protected areas, including the Lihué Calel National Park.^[2] Both national and provincial legislation is in place specifically protecting the species.^[2]

References

^ Gardner, Alfred (16 November 2005). Wilson, Don E., and Reeder, DeeAnn M., eds. ed. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. (2142 pp.). pp. 96. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494. http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Superina, M., Abba, A. M. & Roig, V. (2009). "Chlamyphorus truncatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/4704. Retrieved 04 October 2011.

Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Source: Wikipedia

Unreviewed

Article rating from 0 people

Average rating: 2.5 of 5