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The range of the nine-banded armadillo extends from the southern United States in the north to Argentina in the south, with populations also found on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada. Armadillos can inhabit a variety of environments, from lowland areas at sea level to elevations of up to 2000 meters. However, they are most commonly associated with arid or semi-arid ecosystems, savannas and semi-deserts. During the day, armadillos rest in dens and become active at dusk and through the night, foraging for food. Their diet includes insects and their larvae, bird eggs, small vertebrates, and also fruits and other plant matter. Nine-banded armadillos have a high reproductive rate. Following mating and fertilization, embryonic development is initially delayed, resuming later to ensure that the young are born during a favorable time of year. A single zygote typically divides into multiple embryos of the same sex, a phenomenon known as polyembryony.
