Animals That Roll Into a Ball

Armadillo Armadillos are natives of Southern America. They are easily identified by their tough shell, for which they are named. There are several species. Some are very big, like the giant armadillo, and some are quite small, like the aptly named pink fairy armadillo. But only the Tolypeutes species is capable of rolling into a ball.

Pangolin Sometimes referred to as scaly anteaters, pangolins are found mostly in Asia and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. These shy creatures eat ants and termites and hunt for them with their tongues. They are the most trafficked mammals because of the high demand on the black market. 

Hedgehog Hedgehogs are found in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia. These cute mammals, with their beady little eyes, are tricksters. Their tactics for evading their predators include something called “anointing,” where they smear scents in their environments on some of their quills to evade detection. 

Chiton Chitons are mollusks that are found worldwide. Although they live in water, chitons are found around the rocky parts of the sea. They feed on algae as well as bacteria in the water. Chitons have an outer shell divided into eight shell plates shaped like a butterfly.

Armadillo Girdled Lizard Native to South Africa, armadillo-girdled lizards love to live in rocky places, especially on the slopes of mountains. You will find them mostly in desert areas, where they feast on spiders and other insects. Occasionally, they would eat specific plants. 

Golden Wheel Spider This is another native South African inhabitant. It is mildly venomous but not harmful to humans. The golden wheel spider earns its name from its method of defense. It turns to its side and rolls down the dunes of the Namib Desert, where it primarily lives. 

Isopods There are over 10,000 species of this unique creature. Some of them live in the sea or in fresh water. But the ones that live on land are relevant to this list. Isopods are crustaceans; even on land, they tend to live in moist places. They feed on plants and dead animals.