Calyptophractus retusus was discovered in 1859 by Hermann Burmeister in Bolivia. A native person showed him the mummified remains of an animal that he was unfamilar with, and it was brought to various institutions for further study. Greater fairy armadillos were previously known as Chlamyphorus retusus.
Communication Channels: acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Specific threats to Calyptophractus retusus are poorly known, but these animals are rare and endangered. Their natural habitat is shrinking at a steady pace as a result of conversion to agriculture, and there is little protected land in the areas where they live. For example, 2.88% of land in Paraguay is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife. Domestic dogs and over-collecting also pose a threat to greater fairy armadillos.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient
South American armadillos have been known to host the parasitic insects that carry Chagas' disease, but there have not been any documented cases of Calyptophractus retusus hosting the disease.
Because some armadillo species are known to suffer from leprosy, they have been used in research efforts to find new treatments for this disease. Armadillos may help to control insect pests.
Positive Impacts: research and education; controls pest population
The eating habits of Calyptophractus retusus are similar to those of other armadillos. They eat insects, insect larvae, worms, snails, roots, and small seeds, although an individual held in captivity was able to live off of boiled rice and grapefruit.
Animal Foods: eggs; insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods; mollusks; terrestrial worms
Plant Foods: roots and tubers; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit
Primary Diet: omnivore
Calyptophractus retusus (greater fairy armadillos) is native to South America. These armadillos inhabit the Gran Chaco region of western and central Boliva, northern Argentina and Paraguay.
Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )
Calyptophractus retusus inhabits the dry grasslands of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. They lives in underground burrows in warm and dry soils. They often burrow near anthills.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland
Average life span is twelve to fifteen years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 12 to 15 years.
The distinguishing characteristic of Calyptophractus retusus (along with a similar species, Chlamyphorus truncatus) is its pelvic armor, which is firmly attached to the spine and pelvic bones, unlike other members of the family Dasypodidae. The soft dorsal armor is entirely fused to the skin, and there are 24 dorsal bands that are mobile due to the soft tissue between them. The white hair is sparse on the dorsal surface, but dense and woolly on the underbelly. There are curved claws on the hands and powerful, sharp claws designed for burrowing on the feet. The soft armor appears to be cut off at the end, making it appear truncated. The head shield is less well-defined than is that of Chlamyphorus truncatus, and it lacks a posterior row of large scutes. Total body length ranges from 140 to 175 mm and tail length is about 35 mm. The teeth are small and peg-like.
Average mass: 1 kg.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
The reproductive behavior of Calyptophractus retusus has not been studied in great detail because this species is extremely rare and has never bred in captivity. After mating occurs, the fertilized egg remains in the female's uterus for up to several months. The exact gestation period is unknown, but it can be inferred that it is similar to the average armadillo gestation period (120 days). Calyptophractus retusus gives birth to several offspring at a time; the usual litter size is four. Amazingly, these offspring are the result of a single egg. In other words, this particular species gives birth to quadruplets on a regular basis!
When its young are born, their armor is soft, and it takes several weeks for it to harden. However, young greater fairy armadillos are able to walk within hours of birth. For most armadillos, weaning takes place within several weeks of birth. The specific length of time for the greater fairy armadillo is unknown. The average sexual maturity is six to twelve months.
Average number of offspring: 4.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 6 to 12 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; viviparous
Found in the Chaco region of western and central Bolivia, Paraguay, and extreme northern Argentina, thegreater fairy armadillo (Calyptophractus retusus) has a head and body length of 140 — 175 mm (5.5 — 6.9 in) and a tail length35 mm (1.4 in).
C. retusus is larger than the lesser or pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus). The shell plates are whitish or yellowish brown. Body hair is whitish and wooly. C. retusus resembles C. truncatus except the shell is securely attached to the body along its entire length, and the tail is rounded and partly covered with plates.
The greater fairy armadillo inhabits dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cactus. C. retususfeeds primarily on ants and ant larvae; they are also known to eat worms, snails, roots and other plant material.
C. retusus is not as rapid a burrower as C. truncatus; it probably presses its body close to the ground rather than burrowing if it is threatened. C. retusus has been reported to emit cries similar to those of human infants.
C. retusus is listed by the IUCN as vulnerable due to habitat loss and predation by domestic dogs. It does not do well in captivity.
The greater fairy armadillo (Calyptophractus retusus), also known as Burmeister's armadillo or the Chacoan fairy armadillo, is a species of armadillo in the family Chlamyphoridae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss and persecution.[2] It is the only species in the genus Calyptophractus.[1]
The greater fairy armadillo is a small species, growing to a length of from 140 to 175 millimetres (5.5 to 6.9 in) with a tail about 35 millimetres (1.4 in) long and weighing up to a kilogram (2.2 lb). Like other armadillos it has bands of armour on its dorsal (upper) surface but, in common with the pink fairy armadillo Chlamyphorus truncatus but unlike most other armadillos, these bands are fused to its pelvis and spine. They are soft in texture and are linked together with skin which gives flexibility to the body. They come to an abrupt end at the rear of the body. The ventral surface is clad in dense, woolly hair and there are some sparse hairs on the dorsal surface as well. The forefeet are scoop-shaped and have curved claws, and the hind feet have sharp claws for burrowing.[3]
The greater fairy armadillo is native to the Gran Chaco region of northern Argentina, central and south-eastern Bolivia and western Paraguay. It inhabits dry grassy areas and is found only in places with light sandy soils in which it can burrow.[2]
The behaviour of the greater fairy armadillo has been little studied. It is an expert tunneller and spends most of its time in the shallow burrows that it excavates and is seldom seen above ground during the day. If disturbed, it can bury itself rapidly, and may block the entrance to its burrow with its hindermost plates. It has an omnivorous diet and feeds on worms, insect larvae, insects, snails, roots and seeds.[3]
The breeding habits of this species are largely unknown. After mating has taken place, the fertilised egg may remain in the uterus for several months before implantation takes place. The egg may then divide and up to four embryos may develop from a single fertilised egg. The gestation period is probably about four months as in other species of armadillo. The young are precocial and can move about within a few hours of birth. Their body armour does not harden until they are a few weeks old and they are weaned about the same time. They become sexually mature at between six months and one year.[3]
At one time the greater fairy armadillo was listed by the IUCN as "Near Threatened" because of the loss of its habitat but in 2010, its status was changed to "Data Deficient" on the grounds that the animal was insufficiently known for it to be properly evaluated. Its distribution is quite patchy and in some areas of the Guarani people, it is persecuted on sight due to a traditional belief that it is an animal of ill omen of death, or the spirit of a dead baby.[4][2] However, it is present in some nature reserves and national parks where it should be undisturbed by humans.[2]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) The greater fairy armadillo (Calyptophractus retusus), also known as Burmeister's armadillo or the Chacoan fairy armadillo, is a species of armadillo in the family Chlamyphoridae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. It is threatened by habitat loss and persecution. It is the only species in the genus Calyptophractus.
