KSC-07pd0146

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- Seen at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, this nine-banded armadillo may be looking for food. Introduced to Florida in the early 1900's, this species is found statewide in areas with dense ground cover and sandy soil. Nine bands of plates cover the body from shoulder to hip and 12 bands cover the long tail. It has a small, tapered head and snout and a long tongue. Its ears are long and hairless. It has sparse white hairs on its belly. Its diet is composed of insects, especially beetles, and other invertebrates plus some plant foods such as cedars and beautyberries. It is primarily nocturnal, sedentary, solitary and a burrower. It digs a series of dens. The multiple entrances are usually protected by stumps, palmettos, or trees. Many other animals also use armadillo dens. KSC shares a boundary with the Merritt Island Wildlife Nature Refuge. The refuge is a habitat for more than 310 species of birds, 25 mammals, 117 fishes and 65 amphibians and reptiles. In addition, the Refuge supports 19 endangered or threatened wildlife species on Federal or State lists, more than any other single refuge in the U.S. Photo credit: NASA/Ken Thornsley