An armadillo is a small mammal covered in hard, bony plates that protect it like natural armor. These unusual creatures look a bit like a cross between a pig and a tank, with their pointed snouts, stumpy legs, and shells made of tough, overlapping sections.

Armadillos live in warm parts of North and South America, spending much of their time digging burrows with their powerful claws. They eat insects, grubs, and other small creatures they find in the soil. The nine-banded armadillo, the most common type in the United States, can be found across the southern states from Texas to Florida.

When threatened, some armadillo species can roll themselves into a tight ball, leaving only their armor exposed to predators. The three-banded armadillo can roll up so completely that it looks like a soccer ball. Other species rely on their digging speed, disappearing into the ground in seconds, or their ability to hold their breath and walk underwater across stream bottoms.

Despite their medieval appearance, armadillos are surprisingly good swimmers. They can inflate their stomachs and intestines with air to help them float, or simply walk along the bottom of a river or pond while holding their breath for several minutes.