Portland, United States - July 17, 2024

The Oregon Zoo welcomed a new addition to its armadillo family last month as Max and Toby, a pair of three-banded armadillos, proudly introduced their second pup. Named "Bugsy" after a favorite armadillo snack, the tiny newcomer was born on June 10 and has been thriving under the watchful care of zoo staff.

According to Eliza Lee, overseeing the armadillo family at the zoo, both mother and baby are doing exceptionally well in their private den behind the scenes. Max has been a devoted mother, ensuring Bugsy's comfort and security within their nest, where the young armadillo is rapidly growing. At just 14 ounces, Bugsy is already showing signs of exploration as he ventures closer to his mother.

“Max is a great mom so we haven’t needed to step in at all,” Lee remarked, highlighting Max's natural maternal instincts.

Three-banded armadillos, known for their unique ability to roll into a protective ball, are among the smallest armadillo species, typically weighing around 3 pounds as adults. Native to the grasslands of South America, these armadillos face threats in the wild such as habitat loss and hunting, leading to their classification as Near Threatened by conservation organizations.