Zoo Atlanta welcomes first-ever southern three-banded armadillo birth

Zoo Atlanta is excited to welcome the birth of a southern three-banded armadillo pup – the first of its species ever born at the Zoo. Born to first-time parents Persephone and Finnegan on March 20, 2026, the pup, who is now about the size of a baseball, was around the size of a clementine fruit at birth.  

Southern three-banded armadillos are the only armadillo species capable of rolling into a complete ball to protect themselves from predators. Pups are born with soft shells that gradually harden to form the species’ distinctive armor.

“This is a particularly special birth for us as this is the first armadillo born here at the Zoo. Because baby armadillos are so rarely seen in the wild, people have a natural curiosity about how the pups look, grow, and develop,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “We look forward to watching this little one grow up to help our Members and guests learn more about the behaviors and adaptations of this species and its differences from the nine-banded armadillos we find here in Georgia.”

Native to South America, including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, southern three-banded armadillos are currently classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their primary threats include habitat loss due to agriculture, hunting for meat, and capture for the pet trade. Unfortunately, the adaptation that defends them so effectively from predators also makes their tight ball shape simple for human hands to retrieve.

Persephone, Finnegan, and a third armadillo, Violetta, are part of Zoo Atlanta’s Ambassador Animals population, which includes mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates residing in the Zoo’s Wieland Wildlife Home. Although the building is not open to the public, the armadillos may be seen in an adjacent habitat later this summer once the pup is large enough to explore the outdoor area.

Learn more about southern three-banded armadillos or plan a visit at zooatlanta.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Rachel Davis
Director of Communications
rdavis@zooatlanta.org
404.624.2812

Gavin Johnson
Public Relations Manager
gjohnson@zooatlanta.org
404.624.5980

About Zoo Atlanta
A proud accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the gold standard for animal care and welfare, Zoo Atlanta has a mission to save wildlife and their habitats through conservation, research, education, and engaging experiences. The Zoo is home to hundreds of animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, many of them endangered or critically endangered. Highlights include a transformed African Savanna featuring expanded habitats for African elephants, giraffes, zebras, ostrich, warthogs, meerkats, and rhinos; one of North America’s largest populations of great apes; and a global center of excellence for the care and study of reptiles and amphibians. Recent transformations include a newly updated African lion complex, opened in April 2025, and the state-of-the-art Rollins Animal Health Center, completed in 2024. For more information, visit zooatlanta.org.