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What the sources say

Pink Fairy ArmadilloChlamyphorus truncatus

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Pink Fairy Armadillo profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 48 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

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Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan 2017

Chlamyphorus truncatus (pink fairy armadillo). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan, 2017.

The page saysThe world's smallest armadillo
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are the smallest extant armadillo.
The page saysArgentina's Smallest Armadillo
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are the smallest extant armadillo.
The page saysthe smallest living armadillo species
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are the smallest extant armadillo.
The page saysIt is found only in the deserts and scrublands of central Argentina
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are endemic to the deserts and scrub lands of central Argentina.Note: 'only' glosses 'endemic' for an 11-14 audience; same strength.
The page saysmainly in the provinces of Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, La Pampa and San Juan
The source saysThey are mainly found in the provinces of Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, La Pampa and San Juan.
The page saysIt lives mainly in loose sand dunes, along with dry grassland and sandy plains, from sea level up to 1,500 meters
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are found in dry grasslands and sand filled plains. They are a fossorial species that lives primarily in loose sandy dunes ... The pink fairy armadillo can live anywhere from sea level to 1500m in elevation.
The page saysArid sand dunes and dry scrubland, mainly across central Argentina's Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, La Pampa and San Juan provinces, from sea level to 1,500 meters
The source saysThey are mainly found in the provinces of Mendoza, San Luis, Buenos Aires, La Pampa and San Juan. ... The pink fairy armadillo can live anywhere from sea level to 1500m in elevation.Note: stats.habitat, kept in sync with the body's range paragraph.
The page saysAnimal Diversity Web gives an average of 120 grams (4 ounces)
The source saysan average body mass of 120g. ... Average mass 120 g 4.23 ozNote: 4 ounces rounds the source's own 4.23 oz.
The page saysIt is generally called an insectivore, but it will eat plants if the right conditions arise
The source saysThey are generally called insectivores, but they will feed on plants if the right conditions arise.
The page saysthe main food anyone has observed it eating is ants
The source saysThe main food that pink fairy armadillos have been observed eating were ants.
The page saysGenerally called an insectivore; ants are the main food observed, and it eats plants if the right conditions arise
The source saysThey are generally called insectivores, but they will feed on plants if the right conditions arise. The main food that pink fairy armadillos have been observed eating were ants.Note: stats.diet, kept in sync with the body's diet paragraph.
The page saysIt is active at night or at dawn and dusk
The source saysIt has also been noted that pink fairy armadillos are nocturnal or crepuscular.Note: 'at dawn and dusk' glosses 'crepuscular'.
The page saysit has digging claws on its front legs
The source saysthe pink fairy armadillo has digging claws on its front legs
The page saysThis armadillo's light pink carapace is attached to its body only by a thin membrane running down the middle of its back
The source saystheir carapace is only attached dorsally by a thin membrane down the midline. ... their armored shell which is light pinkish in color
The page saysIt has 24 bands, plus an extra vertical plate at the rear that gives the shell its blunt end
The source saysThey have 24 bands on their armored shell which is light pinkish in color and there is an extra vertical plate at the end of the armor that gives the carapace its blunt end.
The page saysIts eyes are small
The source saysthe pink fairy armadillo has digging claws on its front legs, reduced eye size, and a fusiform body shape.
The page saysIts main defense against predators is the carapace covering its back, and its burrows and tunnels give it a refuge
The source saysThe main defense against predation in this species is the carapace covering their back. Being semi-fossorial their burrows and tunnels are a refuge from predators.
The page saysIts greatest predators are domestic cats and dogs
The source saysThe greatest predators of the pink fairy armadillo are domestic cats and dogs.
The page saysIt is so rarely seen that, according to Animal Diversity Web, the local person known for having seen the most had seen only 12 in 45 years
The source saysPink fairy armadillos are so rare that the local who is known for having seen the most has only seen 12 in the last 45 years.
The page sayshave never been seen drinking, which suggests they may get their water from their food
The source saysthe few that have survived for any length of time in captivity have never been seen drinking, suggesting they may obtain water from their food.
The page saysUsing metabolic water is an adaptation seen in many desert species
The source saysThe use of metabolic water is an adaptation seen in many desert species.
The page saysNobody knows for sure
The source saysIt is not known if pink fairy armadillos consume liquids
The page saysit lives mainly in loose sand dunes
The source saysThey are a fossorial species that lives primarily in loose sandy dunes
The page sayswith claws on the front legs and small eyes
The source saysthe pink fairy armadillo has digging claws on its front legs, reduced eye size, and a fusiform body shape.
The page saysIts light pink shell
The source saystheir armored shell which is light pinkish in color

Source
02

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources

Chlamyphorus truncatus. AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database, Human Ageing Genomic Resources.

The page saysthe AnAge ageing database lists 44.3 grams
The source saysAdult weight 44.3 gNote: AnAge attributes the figure to Smith et al. (2003), Body mass of late Quaternary mammals.
The page saysOne captive individual lived 4.3 years, but no maximum has been established, and it may be much longer
The source saysMaximum longevity Not yet established ... Little is known about the longevity of these animals but one specimen lived 4.3 years in captivity [ 0671 ]. Their maximum longevity may be much longer, though.
The page saysLifespan is just as uncertain
The source saysLittle is known about the longevity of these animalsNote: Framing sentence for the AnAge longevity line that follows.

Source
03

Superina & Abba 2025

Superina & Abba (2025). Chlamyphorus truncatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T4704A244100423.

The page saysThe IUCN lists it as Data Deficient
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Data Deficient (DD).Note: Category read through GBIF's copy of the Red List (2025 assessment). The gloss that follows is the category's definition, not a species claim.

Source
04

Delsuc et al. 2012

Delsuc et al. (2012). Molecular phylogenetics unveils the ancient evolutionary origins of the enigmatic fairy armadillos. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

The page saysScientists recognize two species of fairy armadillo, also called pichiciegos: this one and the Chacoan fairy armadillo
The source saysFairy armadillos or pichiciegos (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae) are among the most elusive mammals. ... Two distinct species with allopatric distributions are recognized
The page saysThis species is restricted to central Argentina, while its cousin lives in the Gran Chaco of Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia
The source saysChlamyphorus truncatus is restricted to central Argentina, while Calyptophractus retusus occurs in the Gran Chaco of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia.
The page saysDNA evidence puts the split between the two species at around 17 million years ago, a date that supports placing them in separate genera
The source saysThe ancient divergence date (∼17Mya) for separation between the two species supports their taxonomic classification into distinct genera.

Source
05

Krmpotic et al. 2023

Krmpotic et al. (2023). The double skin of the pink fairy armadillo, the peculiar integumentary system of Chlamyphorus truncatus Cingulata (Mammalia, Xenarthra). Journal of Zoology.

The page saysan Argentine sand-burrower wearing a shell of bony plates and hardened scales
The source saysThis armadillo has almost completely subterranean habits and, unlike all other subterranean mammals, C. truncatus has a carapace composed of osteoderms and cornified scales.Note: Reviewer cut 'no other underground mammal has': molecular-2012 gives the Chacoan fairy armadillo, an armoured armadillo, the same 'subterranean and nocturnal lifestyle', so the abstract's absolute is wider than the page can stand behind. 'sand-burrower' glosses the subterranean habit; ADW places it in loose sandy dunes.
The page saysIt measures less than 15 centimeters (6 inches) from head to tail
The source saysweighing about 100 grams and measuring less than 15 cm from head to tailNote: 6 inches is a unit conversion of 15 cm.
The page saysa 2023 study of its skin says about 100 grams
The source saysweighing about 100 gramsNote: 2023 is the reference's publication year (Krmpotic et al. 2023).
The page saysThis armadillo spends almost its whole life below ground, and it carries a carapace made of bony plates and hardened scales
The source saysThis armadillo has almost completely subterranean habits and, unlike all other subterranean mammals, C. truncatus has a carapace composed of osteoderms and cornified scales.Note: 'below ground' glosses 'subterranean'. The source's 'unlike all other subterranean mammals' was cut: the Chacoan fairy armadillo is also subterranean (molecular-2012).
The page saysAn almost entirely underground mammal in a shell of bony plates and hardened scales, and almost all of that shell is flexible
The source saysunlike all other subterranean mammals, C. truncatus has a carapace composed of osteoderms and cornified scales. ... the flexibility of almost all of its carapaceNote: stats.superpower. 'The only' cut for the same reason as the body's blockquote.
The page saysA 2023 study of its skin found that almost all of the carapace is flexible, one of several features that set it apart from other armadillos
The source saysOur results show that the integumentary system presents unique characteristics compared to other armadillos, such as the peculiar skin under the dorsal shield and the flexibility of almost all of its carapace.Note: 2023 is the reference's publication year (Krmpotic et al. 2023).
The page saysits whiskers, or vibrissae, keep the basic armadillo structure but are thinner and shorter
The source saysthe vibrissae conserve the structure of the armadillos (the cavernous sinuses extend throughout the follicle‐sinus complex) with a thinning and shortening of the hairsNote: 'shorter' is the source's 'shortening'.
The page saysa change researchers think is probably linked to passively monitoring its surroundings
The source sayswhich are probably linked to passive monitoring of the surrounding environment
The page saysThe arrangement of hairs on the armor plates near its rear is modified too, in a way scientists think may help it move through sandy tunnels
The source saysthe modification of the arrangement of hairs in the first pelvic buckler osteoderms may suggest biomechanical adaptations, such as an improvement in the displacement through the tunnels of sandy soils.
The page saysArmor for a Life Underground
The source saysThis armadillo has almost completely subterranean habits and, unlike all other subterranean mammals, C. truncatus has a carapace composed of osteoderms and cornified scales.Note: Blockquote lead-in; replaces 'Built Like Nothing Else Underground'.
The page saysweightKg: 0.1
The source saysweighing about 100 grams

Source
06

Superina 2011

Superina (2011). Husbandry of a pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus): case study of a cryptic and little known species in captivity. Zoo Biology.

The page saysit is extremely difficult to keep in captivity
The source saysThese smallest of all extant armadillos are rarely observed in the field and extremely difficult to maintain under captive conditions.
The page saysOne published case study kept a male in an artificial enclosure for eight months
The source saysThis case study describes the husbandry of a male pink fairy armadillo that was maintained in an artificial environment for 8 months.
The page saysa stable, undisturbed setup with plenty of compact sand and hiding places on the surface was the key to keeping him alive
The source saysA stable, undisturbed environment consisting of abundant compact sand and hiding places on the surface was the key to its successful maintenance.
The page saysAny small change to his enclosure or diet triggered a stress response
The source saysAny slight modification to its environment or diet triggered a stress response.
The page sayshe was fed a semi-liquid mix of ground cat food, insectivore diet, mashed banana, vitamins and minerals
The source saysThe artificial diet consisted of a semiliquid mixture of ground cat food, insectivore diet, mashed banana, vitamins, and minerals.

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.