Large Hairy Armadillo at Tropical World - 02/10/2013

That'd the large hairy armadillo shape. very different from the one in the pic.

My thinking was actually six-banded armadillo - quite apart from anything else, they are available readily in private hands and in public collections in Europe, whilst the nine-banded population is extremely low.

And here is the arse of a 9 banded.

TeaLovingDave said:

whilst the nine-banded population is extremely low.

Click to expand...

Not that hard to get hold of at all. I've seen 3 for sale in this country in the past 2 years

for what it's worth, I think it's a nine-banded armadillo as well.

And having visited the collection today, observed both armadillos at some length (there being two of them) and - most importantly - spoken for some time to one of the keepers, I have a conclusive identification for the animals!

*drumroll*

They are large hairy armadillos! The low image quality distorted the shape of the animal in the photo somewhat - in person they were distinctly squatter than that photo made them seem.

They arrived from London Zoo in August, in case anyone is interested in their origin.

Thanks for the clarification, Dave! I feel slightly disappointed that they aren't nine-banded, I must admit.

Me too! Would have been nice to have had another nine-banded around.

Have posted some better quality photos of some of the things in the nocturnal corridor into the gallery, incidentally.

That amazes me, 'cos it looks naff all like the large hairy armadillo currently running around my feet right now!

How I wish I had an armadillo at my feet

This better shot taken by myself should make it more obvious.