Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Cingulata
- Family
- Dasypodidae
- Genus
- Dasypus
Habitat
Yepes's mulita primarily inhabits grasslands, shrublands, and agricultural areas in central and eastern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. It prefers regions with loose, sandy soils that allow for burrowing and is often found in open terrains rather than dense forests.
Diet
Yepes's mulita feeds mainly on insects such as ants, termites, and beetles, along with other invertebrates like earthworms and spiders. It forages at night using its acute sense of smell to locate food underground, and occasionally consumes plant matter like roots and fruits.
Behavior
Yepes's mulita is primarily nocturnal and solitary, spending its days hidden in burrows that it digs for shelter and protection. It exhibits territorial behavior by marking its burrow entrances and can move quickly to escape threats, though it relies on its armor for defense. These armadillos are not highly social and typically interact only during mating.
Conservation Status
Yepes's mulita is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a stable population trend; major threats include habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and road mortality.