Food/Eating Habits

Omnivorous animals, screaming hairy armadillos will eat primarily plants, insects and small vertebrates such as frogs, toads, lizards, birds and rodents. Their diet fluctuates seasonally, with insects in the beetle family being the primary part of their diet in summer months and plant material—especially seed pods from Prosopis trees—making up much of their winter diet. They will also occasionally scavenge for food.

Screaming hairy armadillos have a few unique methods of hunting; they regularly burrow under and sometimes into carcasses in search of invertebrates to consume. This species has also been observed digging in an unusual fashion—instead of using their legs and claws to expose grubs and insects, screaming hairy armadillos will force their heads into the ground, then turn in a circle to create a cone-shaped hole. There have also been recorded instances of these armadillos throwing themselves upon small snakes, which are then cut by the edges of the carapace.

Screaming hairy armadillos do not need to drink water regularly; efficient kidneys and the ability to retain moisture in the plants that they consume allow screaming hairy armadillos to go long periods without drinking.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo's screaming hair armadillo receives insectivore diet, insect forage, banana and sweet potato.