Bony armor protects ... Clawed toes burrow ... Meet the armadillo! Brimming with vivid photos and scientific facts, this middle-grade nonfiction book treats researchers and wild animal lovers to a comprehensive profile of these desert mammals. It covers zoology topics such as anatomy, diet, habitat, and life cycle, as well as species conservation efforts and the animals' relationship with humans throughout history. Sidebars, a range map, and a glossary support the main text, while a Bolivian folktale about the armadillo adds a cross-curricular cultural layer to the title.