Pichi

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Pichi

Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Xenarthra
Family: Dasypodidae
Subfamily: Euphractinae
Genus: Zaedyus
Species: Z. pichiy
Binomial name
Zaedyus pichiy
Range map
Range map
Synonyms

Dasypus minutus Desmarest, 1822
Loricatus pichiy Desmarest, 1804

The Pichi (Zaedyus pichiy) or Dwarf Armadillo is a small armadillo that is the only member the genus Zaedyus. The range of the Pichi is from central and southern Argentina (Patagonia), west to the Andean grasslands of Chile and south to the Strait of Magellan.

Its body is approximately 1 foot long (260-335 mm) with a tail of 4-6 inches (100-140 mm). It has a dark brown head shield and carapace, thick dorsal plates, and well-developed claws. When threatened, the Pichi wedges itself into its shallow burrow making it difficult for an attacker to drag it out because of its jagged scales.

[edit] Subspecies

  • Zaedyus pichiy caurinus Thomas, 1928
  • Zaedyus pichiy pichiy Desmarest, 1804

[edit] External links

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