ARMADILLOS

C. nationi is found in Bolivia, Chile, Peru, and northern Argentina. Its distribution is poorly known because it is often confused with C. vellerosus. In Argentina, it has been recorded in localities farther south than its current range (Carrizo et al., 2005), but these records need to be confirmed to exclude the possibility that they correspond to C. vellerosus. C. nationi is found from 2,400 to 4,000 m asl.

This omnivorous species inhabits high altitude grasslands, where it digs its burrows in sandy soils (Redford and Eisenberg, 1992; Pérez Zubieta, 2008).

There is not much information about its life history. Assuming this species is similar to its congeners C. villosus and C. vellerosus, both genders reach sexual maturity at one year of age, and the female gives birth to one yearly litter of one or two young. No data are available on the total population size, but Peredo (1999) estimated a population of 13,000 individuals in an area of 340 km2. A population reduction of 30% in the past 10 years is probable in Bolivia; no data are available from the other range countries.

The Bolivian hairy armadillo is intensively harvested commercially for its meat and carapace, including for charangos (musical instruments) and also handicrafts (Reichle, 1997; Romero-Muûoz and Pérez Zubieta, 2008). Cáceres (1995) estimated yearly harvest rates of 2,000 individuals in Bolivia. Habitat degradation in the altiplano of Bolivia (where 70% of the C. nationi population occurs) is advancing at a fast pace, and habitat loss occurs due to sand excavation for concrete production (Peredo, 1999) and agricultural activities (Ríos and Rocha, 2002).

C. nationi is listed as Vulnerable because data from Bolivia suggest that populations there have experienced a decline exceeding 30% over the last 10 years, largely due to high rates of exploitation. This species is probably affected by hunting and habitat degradation over its entire range, but the impact of these threats in countries other than Bolivia is unknown due to a lack of field studies.
It is present in many protected areas. Hunting of this species in Bolivia continues, even though this is prohibited (Pérez Zubieta et al., 2009).

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.