Giant armadillo

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest living armadillo, native to South America. Its heavy armor and powerful foreclaws suit a mostly nocturnal life spent digging for food and shelter.

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Armadillo: A New World mammal in the order Cingulata, characterized by bony armor covering parts of its body. The giant armadillo is the largest living member of this armored mammal group.
Myremecophagy: A feeding strategy based primarily on eating ants and termites. Giant armadillos use their claws and long tongue to extract these insects from nests.
Camera trap: A remotely triggered camera used to photograph animals passing through a location. Camera traps reveal giant armadillo activity without requiring direct observation.
Ecosystem engineering: The modification of habitats by organisms in ways that affect other species and ecological processes. Giant armadillo burrows alter soil and create shelter used by other animals.
Priodontes: A genus of large South American armadillos containing the giant armadillo. The giant armadillo is the genus's sole living species.
Termite: A social insect that feeds mainly on dead plant material and builds colonies in nests or mounds. Termites are a major food source for giant armadillos.
Radio telemetry: The use of radio signals to track the location or movement of tagged animals. Tracking has helped researchers study giant armadillo movements and space use.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, separated patches. Fragmentation can isolate populations across the giant armadillo's broad range.
Xenarthra: A mammal superorder comprising armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. Its evolutionary relationships place it among South America's xenarthran mammals.
Ant: A social insect in the family Formicidae, found in colonies with specialized roles. Ant colonies provide another prey source that giant armadillos excavate.