- Any edentate animal if the family Dasypidae, peculiar to
America. The body and head are incased in an armor composed of small
bony plates. The armadillos burrow in the earth, seldom going abroad
except at night. When attacked, they curl up into a ball, presenting
the armor on all sides. Their flesh is good food. There are several
species, one of which (the peba) is found as far north as Texas. See
Peba, Poyou, Tatouay. - A genus of small isopod Crustacea that can roll
themselves into a ball.
Definition
[ n.]