Priodontes maximus
Silhouette: Xavier A. Jenkins · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), colloquially tatu-canastra, tatou, ocarro or tatú carreta, is the largest living species of armadillo (although their extinct relatives the glyptodonts were much larger). It lives in South America, ranging throughout as far south as northern Argentina. This species is considered vulnerable to extinction.
The giant armadillo prefers termites and some ants as prey, and often consumes the entire population of a termite mound. It also has been known to prey upon worms, larvae and larger creatures, such as spiders and snakes, and plants. Some giant armadillos have been reported to have eaten bees by digging into beehives.
The giant armadillo is the largest living species of armadillo, with 11 to 13 hinged bands protecting the body and a further three or four on the neck. Its body is dark brown in color, with a lighter, yellowish band running along the sides, and a pale, yellow-white head. These armadillos have around 80 to 100 teeth, which is more than any other terrestrial mammal. The teeth are all similar in appearance, being reduced premolars and molars, grow constantly throughout life, and lack enamel. They also possess extremely... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yasuní National Park | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | |
| 2 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bioparque Los Ocarros | 🇨🇴 Colombia |
No species of the same family or order lives in Yasuní National Park, so these are its closest relatives here: other mammals.
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Armadillo sighting in Yasuní National Park on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 33rd most-seen of the 33 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March, May, September and December–January
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Giant Armadillo in Yasuní National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February, April, June–August and October–November, the lowest months.
Between 11 pm and 2 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Giant Armadillo sightings with a recorded time, and about half of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is seen both by day and at night.
Yes
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Giant Armadillo sightings, Yasuní National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Manu National Park (Peru, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Giant Armadillo is recorded against all the mammals logged in Yasuní National Park (5 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
