Mating Behavior of the Six-Banded Armadillo Euphractus Sexcinctus in the Pantanal Wetland, Brazil

Abstract

Little is known about the reproductive behavior of Euphractus sexcinctus, but the chasing behavior of several individuals behind one another has been reported. We describe two observations of chasing behavior in the Pantanal, Brazil, which included a clear mating event. On these two occasions, a presumed adult male mounted another individual, presumed to be an adult female, during and after the chase, clearly indicating reproductive behavior. Our occasional records of chasing behavior, eventually including mounWLQJVXJJHVWDIDLUO\GHÀQHGPDWLQJSHULRGIURPWKHPLGGU\VHDVRQWRWKHRQVHWRIWKHUDLQLQJVHDVRQLQ the Pantanal wetland.