There are nine movable bands across the back, and the tail is covered with a series of overlapping rings. The under-parts are covered with soft skin and a few long hairs. The armadillo is about the size of an opossum. Its front feet are well adapted for digging. Tracks made by an armadillo appear to have been made by a three-toed animal.
Armadillos have poor eyesight, but a keen sense of smell.
In spite of their cumbersome appearance, armadillos can run fast when in danger. They also are good swimmers and can walk across the bottoms of small streams. Armadillos are active primarily from twilight hours through early morning hours in the summer. In the winter they may be active only during the day. Armadillos are burrowing animals.