Its front feet are well adapted for digging. Tracks made by an armadillo appear to have been made by a three-toed animal. Armadillos normally produce only one litter a year, usually in March or April. The gestation period is about 5 months and the young are always quadruplets of the same sex. The young are usually born in a nest within the burrow.
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 bottom 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.