Zoo Armadillo and Aardvark Welfare

Armadillos and aardvarks are insectivorous mammals with specialized diets and burrowing needs that make zoo welfare management distinctly challenging.

Key Facts

Nine-banded armadillos are native to the Americas and can roll into a ball when threatened
Giant armadillos are Vulnerable and among the largest armadillo species at up to 60 kg
Aardvarks are native to Africa and are the only living member of the order Tubulidentata
Both species are nocturnal and highly specialized insectivores requiring specific diets
Aardvarks dig burrows up to 3 meters deep and excavate large volumes of soil nightly
Captive aardvarks have very high mortality rates historically due to dietary and environmental challenges

Welfare Considerations

Armadillo and aardvark welfare in captivity requires exceptional dietary expertise and burrowing substrate provision. Aardvarks have historically fared poorly in captivity due to the difficulty of replicating their highly specialized diet of termites and ants at appropriate volumes, and the challenge of providing enough digging substrate. Improved understanding of their nutritional needs and dedicated digging areas have improved survival in facilities that invest appropriately. Nocturnal species housed in daytime visitor conditions without appropriate day-night management cannot express natural behavior. Both species require deep substrate for burrowing that is physiologically and behaviorally essential.

What You Can Do

Support only accredited facilities with appropriate deep substrate and specialist dietary care for these species
Learn about aardvark and armadillo conservation to understand threats in their native habitats
Advocate for specialized welfare standards for insectivorous mammals in zoo accreditation systems
Donate to research improving captive management of specialized mammal species with poor historical welfare records