Armadillos are small mammals with a leathery armour shell. Their closest relatives are sloths and anteaters.

They are found in grasslands and open forests through most of South America. There are 20 different species, which vary in size. The smallest, the pink fairy armadillo, comes from the plains of western Argentina and measures about 6in.

The giant armadillo, found in the eastern part of South America, is the largest species measuring up to 5ft.

Armadillos have a long sticky tongue which allows them to gather insects from fallen logs and the ground. Their diet consists of beetles, ants, worms, grubs, spiders, animal matter, small mammals, fruit, berries, debris, amphibians, small reptiles, plant matter and snails.

Armadillos make snorting sounds as they move, thought to be because finding their food depends on their sense of smell.