ACT Reading Practice Test 12

NATURAL SCIENCE: The Armored Armadillo

Meandering along the shoulder of the highway, the armadillo is surprisingly unaffected by its surroundings. This nomad of the desert appears to have no cares in the world, and really, why should he, when

LINE 5 he carries on his back a natural suit of armor? He looks far more awkward than do most animals, yet this alien creature handles himself remarkably well. For such a small animal, the armadillo can withstand a surprising amount of aggression from most predators. Although

10 his shell is far from impenetrable, the armadillo can rest assured that he is safer than many animals who wander the Texas roads. The Dasypus novemcinctus, or nine-banded armadillo, is characterized by the bands that arch across

15 its back. The bands are made of bony plates and are covered with leathery skin—these plates, in fact cover the animal’s back, sides, tail, and the top of its head, creating a somewhat turtle-like shell. The interesting thing about the nine-banded armadillo is

20 that the number of bands on its back may be anywhere between seven and eleven; nine is just the most common number. Contrary to popular belief, only one species of armadillo can roll itself into a ball; the three-banded armadillo does this as its primary defense

25 against predators. Other armadillos often scurry under thorn bushes, rather like tanks strengthening their position. Armadillos are, on average, two and a half feet long and they typically weigh between eight and

30 sixteen pounds, although across different species those numbers can vary dramatically. Nine-banded females give birth once a year, generally to four identical young, which come from a single fertilized egg. The ninebanded armadillo is the only species of animal in which

35 this remarkable trait occurs. The four-month-long gestation period is more than enough time for the offspring to develop, as they are born fully formed with their eyes open. After a few hours they begin to walk and are able to distance themselves from their mothers after only a

40 few months. Few animals are able to outrun a startled armadillo, and if chased into its burrow, the animal is able to arch its armor against the burrow walls, making the armadillo nearly impossible to become dislodged; this is quite frustrating to dogs and other animals who

45 would like to eat the armadillo. In addition to threats of being eaten by an opportunistic predator, the armadillo must also endure a more severe danger: automobiles. A significant number of armadillos die each year after being struck by cars.

50 Armadillos can be found in the northern parts of South America and as far north as the State of Texas. Nine-banded armadillos prefer warm climates and like to build burrows in the wet soil near streambeds, which they often share with other species, such as rabbits and

55 opossums. Armadillos are nocturnal, and they spend their evenings digging for grubs and other invertebrates which make up the majority of their diet. Most Texans see the armadillo as a pest, since the creatures have a tendency to ruin corn by eating the

60 parts of the plants that are low to the ground; they occasionally will eat other farm vegetables as well. Armadillos provide some benefits however, as they eat many annoying and harmful insects and are often used in medical research. Interestingly enough, they are the

65 only mammal besides humans that can contract leprosy. While armadillos are seen as strange and often troublesome animals, they are unique and valuable for research. This armored native of the south will most likely continue to fascinate and charm people for many

70 years to come.