Priodontes maximus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	CINGULATA	DASYPODIDAE

Scientific Name:

Priodontes maximus

Species Authority:

(Kerr, 1792)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Giant Armadillo
French	–	Tatou Géant
Spanish	–	Armadillo Gigante, Carachupa Manan, Cuspon, Tatú Carreta, Tatú Guazú

Synonym/s:

Priodontes giganteus G. Fischer, 1814

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2cd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Superina, M. & Abba, A.M.

Reviewer/s:

Anacleto, T.C.S. & Porini, G.

Contributor/s:

Miranda, F., Anacleto, T.C.S., Cuellar, E., Medri, I. & Porini, G.

Justification:
Priodontes maximus is listed as Vulnerable as, although widespread, it is rare over its entire range. Estimates for population declines based on habitat loss and hunting are at a level of at least 30% in the past three generations.

History:

2006	–	Vulnerable
2006	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 2006)
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Vulnerable (Groombridge 1994)
1990	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 1990)
1988	–	Vulnerable (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
1986	–	Vulnerable (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
1982	–	Vulnerable (Thornback and Jenkins 1982)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This largest of all armadillo species ranges from northern Venezuela (east of the Andes) and the Guianas (French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname), south to Paraguay, and northern Argentina. Srbek-Araujo et al. (2009) recently confirmed its presence in Espirito Santo, Brazil, although the populations in southeastern Brazil seem to be very reduced. The species may be extinct in Uruguay, and is not listed at all for this country by Fallabrino and Castiñeira (2006). It has been recorded from sea level up to 500 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Argentina (Chaco, Formosa, Salta, Santiago del Estero); Bolivia, Plurinational States of; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guyana; Paraguay; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela Regionally extinct: Uruguay
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	P. maximus appears to be naturally rare where it occurs, with a very patchy distribution. Surveys in Suriname over an 18 year period recorded seven individuals in an area of 650 km² (Walsh and Gannon 1967). The density has been estimated to be from 5.77 to 6.28 per 100 km² using camera trapping (Noss et al. 2004). The wild populations are decreasing.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This terrestrial species is found close to water within undisturbed primary rain forest habitats. It excavates burrows, usually in grasslands or open areas of the forest. Nowak (1999) suggested that the species had declined by at least 50% over the last decade. In 1954, three individuals were found in an area of 16.7 km² in Espirito Santo, Brazil (Ruschi 1954). Home range size has been estimated to be at least 450 ha in Brazil (Carter and Encarnação 1983).
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This terrestrial species is found close to water within undisturbed primary rain forest habitats. It excavates burrows, usually in grasslands or open areas of the forest. Nowak (1999) suggested that the species had declined by at least 50% over the last decade. In 1954, three individuals were found in an area of 16.7 km² in Espirito Santo, Brazil (Ruschi 1954). Home range size has been estimated to be at least 450 ha in Brazil (Carter and Encarnação 1983).

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	P. maximus is threatened by hunting for meat (generally for subsistence) and deforestation of habitat. The illegal capture of Giant Armadillos for clandestine sale to wealthy animal collectors may also be a threat, but is difficult to quantify.

Major Threat(s):

P. maximus is threatened by hunting for meat (generally for subsistence) and deforestation of habitat. The illegal capture of Giant Armadillos for clandestine sale to wealthy animal collectors may also be a threat, but is difficult to quantify.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	P. maximus is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is present in many protected areas. There is a need to decrease hunting pressure, and maintain habitat where viable populations occur.

Conservation Actions:

P. maximus is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is present in many protected areas. There is a need to decrease hunting pressure, and maintain habitat where viable populations occur.

Citation:	Superina, M. & Abba, A.M. 2010. Priodontes maximus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 June 2013.
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