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Most individuals have a moderately hairy covering.
The prevailing color is yellowish to reddish brown. Although it bears a general resemblance to certain other genera of armadillos, Euphractus is distinguished by its pointed and flattened head and its possession of six to eight movable bands. The head shield is composed of rather large plates arranged in a fairly definite pattern. The plates of the well-armored tail are arranged in two to four distinctive bands at the base. Holes in a few plates above the base of the tail seem to be openings for scent glands, since the characteristic odor of the animal has been traced to this region.