Hotel Armadillo

The Pantanal region of Brazil is the largest tropical wetland in the world, comprising nearly 75,000 square miles. Sharing the territory with exotic animals such as ocelots, tapirs, and anteaters—along with ranch cowboys—is the solitary, nocturnal giant armadillo. Filmmaker Justin Purefoy's PBS-aired Nature documentary describes the dedicated efforts of the Giant Armadillo Project, comprised of a group of researchers tasked with probing the hidden world of this rarely-seen animal that first appeared on Earth millions of years ago. Armadillos—noted for their tough, plated skin, and acute senses of hearing and smell—quickly create large burrows, only to vacate them, leaving them as "hotels" for other Pantanal animals. Armadillos produce offspring only once every three years, and are known to be good mothers, but in spite of their tough skin, they are not immune to predators, such as the puma. This, along with habitat loss, makes their long-term survival a question mark. Here, researchers track and tag armadillos, examine empty burrows for clues to their habits, and try to educate local residents about their environmental value. Described as "living bulldozers" for their ability to demolish termite mounds, armadillos aren't the most attractive animals, but they are valuable contributors to the natural world. Combining palpable enthusiasm, solid information, and fascinating nature footage, this is recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)