ARMADILLOS

D. septemcinctus ranges from the lower Amazon Basin of Brazil to the Gran Chaco of Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina (presence uncertain). Its southern limit is uncertain due to morphological similarities with D. hybridus, D. yepesi and juvenile D. novemcinctus (see Hamlett, 1939).

The seven-banded armadillo appears to be a grassland species. However, in south-eastern Brazil it prefers to live in gallery forests. It seems to be adaptable to human disturbance and secondary habitat (Aguiar and Fonseca, 2008).

Field studies are urgently needed to understand the biology and population status of this species.

There are no major threats. Locally, D. septemcinctus is threatened by habitat degradation and hunting for food.

D. septemcinctus is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, its occurrence in some protected areas, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. It is present in some protected areas.

Additional information and a complete list of references can be found in: Abba, A.M. and M. Superina (2010): The 2009/2010 Armadillo Red List Assessment. Edentata 11(2): 135-184. This article is available here.