Characteristics and Use of Burrows by Four Species of Armadillos in Brazil

An investigation of four species of armadillos (Priodontes maximus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Cabassous unicinctus, and Cabassous tatouay) revealed differences in their burrow dimensions and choice of burrow sites. Measurements of burrow width alone separated P. maximus and C. unicinctus from E. sexcinctus and C. tatouay; those of burrow height separated all three genera, but not C. unicinctus from C. tatouay. Together, these two measurements were adequate to identify the burrows of each species. The slopes of the burrow and of the surface around the burrow, and the direction at which the burrow entrance was dug, were similar for all four species. The time spent in a burrow and the type of site into which burrows were dug differed among species.