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Food habits of the giant armadillo (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae) in an area of grassland of central Brasil

The diel of the giant armadillo - Priodontes maximus (Kerr,1792) - was studied in the field at Fazenda São Miguel, Unaí, Minas Gerais, Brazil, through 82 samples collected at foraging excavations and 25 fecal samples. In both types of sample the most common item was insects (Isoptera e Hymenoptera) and, in less quantity, plant fragments and orhers invertebrates (Aranae, Blattaria, Coleoptera, Diplopoda, Scorpiones). These data suggest the giant armadillo is a specialist on insects with an opportunistic foraging strategy.

Priodontes maximus; giant armadillo; food habits; insectivore; grassland; Brazil


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