They live in burrows when not active, sometimes solitarily and sometimes in groups. The nine-banded armadillos will share burrows, one one sex being found in any one burrow. The burrows are 2-3 feet beneath the surface and are not branched. Rivers are no obstacles to armadillos, for although they are heavy with their coats or armor, they gain added buoyancy by swallowing air to blow up the intestine. The nine-banded armadillo is said to be able to submerge for 6 minutes.
Some armadillos have an unusual gait.
The soles of the hind feet are pressed against the ground but the fore feet are raised up on the strong pointed claws.