The ecology of the pichi Zaedyus pichiy in western Argentina.

SUPERINA, M.

The Biology of the Xenarthra

University Press of Florida

Lugar: Florida; Año: 2008; p. 313 - 318

Pichis, Zaedyus pichiy, are small armadillos that inhabit arid habitats with firm sandy soils. Wild and captive pichis were studied in Mendoza province, Argentina to collect data on different aspects of their natural history. Females tend to have lower body weight and a narrower carapace than males, while pichis from southern Mendoza have a proportionally more slender head than their conspecifics from northern Mendoza. Pichis are the only known xenarthran that can enter torpor. Body temperature averages 35.1° C in non-torpid pichis, is highly variable, and can be as low as 10° C during torpor. In Mendoza province, they feed mainly on insects, grubs, and plant material, but also ingest carrion and small vertebrates. Reproduction of these predominantly diurnal, solitary animals is limited to spring and summer, and males have been  observed aggressively defending their territories against other males. This species is intensively hunted as a protein source, which has led to reduced sightings of wild pichis and suggests that human impacts are rapidly reducing populations.