Nine-Banded Armadillo

An armored mammal that curls into a ball when threatened, a strategy that works better for it than for most Leonida residents.

The Nine-Banded Armadillo is Leonida's most unusual-looking mammal, covered in bony plates that provide natural armor against predators. These primarily nocturnal creatures dig extensive burrow systems and root through soil for insects and grubs. Their tendency to jump straight up when startled makes them particularly vulnerable to vehicle strikes on rural roads, where they're a common sight — both alive and otherwise.