Screaming Hairy Armadillo

Dylan the screaming hairy armadillo
Photo: Clyde Nishimura/Smithsonian's National Zoo

Dylan is the newest armadillo at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. He 3-years-old and came to us from the Cincinnati Zoo. Unlike the three other armadillos who live at the Small Mammal House, Dylan is the Zoo's only screaming hairy armadillo. They get their name from the loud piercing noise they emit to warn off predators. Neighboring Dylan, are some other new arrivals to the Small Mammal House. Visitors can see two long-tailed chinchillas. The mother and son are the Zoo’s first chinchillas in about five years and came from the Miami Zoo. Native to the Andes Mountains, these little ones are critically endangered due to hunting by humans for their soft fur. Finally, two new tiny deer-like animals, greater Malayan Chevrotains, which are the smallest hoofstock in the world also arrived. The breeding pair came to the Zoo from the Bronx Zoo, and both are a year old. They are also known as Greater Mouse-Deer and are native to Southeast Asia.