The “bulletproof jacket”-like skin of this animal protects it from predators

The flora and wildlife of our world are very rich and varied. Scientists believe that there are 8.7 million different species of plants and animals in the globe. There are now just 1.2 million species known to exist, most of which are insects. These species are distinguished from one another by unique traits and qualities that they all share. A natural defensive mechanism against outside dangers exists in some of them. The armadillo is one of these creatures, and its “bulletproof” body is a true miracle. The armadillo’s body features a kind of armor that is equivalent to a bulletproof jacket. Because of how tough its skin is, it is shielded from predators.

“Can you tell the name of this animal?” a user asked after seeing an Instagram video of the creature. This video was uploaded on October 13 and has received over two lakh likes. Many people on the internet have commented on the video and identified it as an armadillo.

In Spanish, armadillo means literally “little armored ones.” Its body armor consists of dermal bone plates coated in relatively small, overlapping “scutes,” or epidermal scales made of keratin. The skin of an armadillo may sparkle under ultraviolet light. Most animals have flexible skin covering their flanks and back in many bands, and rigid shields protecting their shoulders and hips. Additional armor covers the top of the skull, upper limbs, and tail. The animal’s lower body is not armored; it is only coated with fragile skin and hair. It seems that armadillos mostly depend on their armor-like top skin to protect them from predators.

As soon as it detects a predator assault, it curls its body into a ball. Then, no matter how hard the hunters try, they are unable to eat it because of the extraordinarily robust and resilient armor covering its body. The United States, Central and South America, and other regions are home to armadillos. Additionally, Nebraska and Illinois have reported seeing them. Termites and other worms are consumed by armadillos. They can hold their breath for four to six minutes and are proficient swimmers.