The armadillo (qí yú) is a mammal living in Australia, also known as the hedgehog rabbit or sharp-nosed kangaroo. They are a separate marsupial with a hard shell and sharp spines similar to a pangolin.
Armadillos are nocturnal animals that feed primarily on insects and other small invertebrates. Their front paws are very flexible and can be used to dig burrows and find food, while their back paws have strong gripping capabilities and can be used for running and kicking dirt.
The armadillo's body is covered with scale-like horny plates that are tightly connected to the skin, forming a protective layer like a hard shell. When threatened, armadillos roll up their bodies and become as hard as a ball to protect themselves from predators.
In summary, armadillos are a unique Australian mammal whose hard shell, sharp spines and ball-hard way of protecting themselves make them unique in the animal kingdom.
