An animal with a shell

This bizarre mammal looks like a walking armored car. And believe me, they are much more interesting than they appear. Armadillos, often referred to as the reservoirs of the animal kingdom, are truly unique mammals native to the Americas. There are 20 different species of armadillos, each with their own unique characteristics. The most striking feature of the armadillo, of course, is its carapace, which is made up of plates called scats. These little tanks can curl up into a tight ball, and their carapace completely covers the soft underbelly. It feels like a living armored sphere, and most predators give up at this point. These little diggers dig their own burrows, creating intricate underground homes. As for food, armadillos have quite a variety of tastes. From insects and larvae to fruit and small vertebrates. They are opportunistic feeders. Their keen sense of smell helps them ferret out delicacies hidden in the soil. One armadillo can eat thousands of insects in a day, making them excellent pest controllers.