Cabassous centralis

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Cladus: Synapsida
Cladus: Eupelycosauria
Cladus: Sphenacodontia
Cladus: Sphenacodontoidea
Cladus: Therapsida
Cladus: Theriodontia
Cladus: Cynodontia
Cladus: Eucynodontia
Cladus: Probainognathia
Cladus: Prozostrodontia
Cladus: Mammaliaformes
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Trechnotheria
Infraclassis: Zatheria
Supercohors: Theria
Cohors: Eutheria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Superordo: Xenarthra
Ordo: Cingulata

Familia: Chlamyphoridae
Subfamilia: Tolypeutinae
Genus: Cabassous
Species: Cabassous centralis
Name

Cabassous centralis (Miller, 1899)

Type locality: Honduras, Cortés, "Chamelecon"
References

Cabassous centralis in Mammal Species of the World.
Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn M. (Editors) 2005. Mammal Species of the World – A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third edition. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4.
Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 13: 4.

Vernacular names
English: Northern Naked-tail Armadillo

The northern naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous centralis) is a species of armadillo.[3] It is one of only two species of armadillo found outside of South America, the other being the more widely distributed nine-banded armadillo.
Description

The northern naked-tailed armadillo is relatively small for an armadillo, with adults measuring 31 to 42 cm (12 to 17 in) in length, with an 11 to 18 cm (4.3 to 7.1 in) tail, and weighing from 2 to 3.5 kg (4.4 to 7.7 lb). They have a short, broad snout, large, funnel-shaped ears, and small eyes. Unlike other armadillos with which they might be confused, they have no scales on the backs of their ears.[4]

The upper body is covered in multiple, squarish scutes, that are arranged in ten to thirteen bands which allow the animal some flexibility. Compared with some other armadillo species, the bands are indistinct. The carapace is generally dark grey-brown in color, with a yellowish tinge to the lower margin. The tail has thinner plates, which are more widely spaced, and somewhat pinkish. The underside of the animal has numerous tufts of hair arranged in about twenty regular bands. The forefeet have five claws, with the middle claw being greatly enlarged into a sickle shape. They have been described as possessing a pungent, musky odor.[4]
Distribution and habitat

It is found from Chiapas in southern Mexico to western Colombia, northwestern Ecuador and northwestern Venezuela, at altitudes from sea level to 3000 m. Its habitats include tropical dry forest, moderately moist forest, cloud forest and forest edges, including secondary and agriculturally disturbed forest, as well as in dry savanna and Colombian subpáramo.[1] However, it appears to prefer undisturbed primary forest, and thus may be vulnerable to deforestation and other forms of habitat disturbance.[1] There are no recognised subspecies.
Behaviour and diet

This armadillo is seldom sighted, and may be rare and/or patchily distributed.[1] It is a solitary insectivore, feeding mainly on ants and termites. One of the most fossorial of all armadillos, it spends most of its time underground in tunnels. Unusually, it rotates its body like an auger as it digs, using the large claws on its fore-feet. It has been reported to make low growling sounds and gurgling squeals, doing so loudly when it is captured, as well as urinating and defecating to discourage its captor.[4]

Mothers give birth to only a single young at a time. Newborns are blind, deaf, and hairless, with soft, pink skin, although the scutes are already visible. They have been reported to live for over seven years.[4]
References

Tirira, D.G.; Díaz-N.; J.; Superina, M.; Abba, A.M. (2014). "Cabassous centralis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T3412A47437304. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T3412A47437304.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
Miller Jr., Gerrit S. (1899). "Notes on the Naked-tailed Armadillos". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 13: 1–8.
Gardner, A.L. (2005). "Order Cingulata". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 97. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
Hayssen, V.; et al. (2013). "Cabassous centralis (Cingulata: Dasypodidae)". Mammalian Species. 45 (898): 12–17. doi:10.1644/898.1. JSTOR mammalianspecies.45.898.12.