Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Tolypeutes tricinctus

Tolypeutes tricinctus

9.9
A small South American armadillo with three bands of hard plates that can roll into a ball
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Tolypeutes tricinctus
  • The Tolypeutes tricinctus is capable of rolling itself into a tight ball for protection.

Examples

  • The Tolypeutes tricinctus is famous for its unique three bands of bony plates on its back.

  • Habitat loss has made Tolypeutes tricinctus increasingly rare in its native Brazil.

  • Researchers are working to conserve Tolypeutes tricinctus due to its vulnerable status.

  • The Tolypeutes tricinctus is known for its ability to roll into a ball.

  • Have you ever seen a Tolypeutes tricinctus in the wild?

  • In the Amazon rainforest, the Tolypeutes tricinctus can often be found foraging for insects.

  • Conservation efforts are crucial for the survival of the Tolypeutes tricinctus in Brazil.

Synonyms

three-banded armadillo
vsTolypeutes tricinctus
9.9

A small South American animal with three bands of hard plates on its back that can roll into a ball

is the scientific name used for the Brazilian common form

Surface Forms

Tolypeutes tricinctus singular
Tolypeutes tricinctuses plural

Morphology

Tolypeutes + tricinctus

The genus name 'Tolypeutes' signals an armadillo genus and thus gives a clear clue that the phrase names an animal, but the second element 'tricinctus' has no dictionary entry and is a Latin species epithet that a B1 learner would not reliably parse. Scientific binomials are technical labels that are partly informative (genus) but not fully compositional for learners unfamiliar with Latin morphology, so the overall transparency is partial.

Etymology

Tolypeutes tricinctus may come from old Greek and Latin words: Tolypeutes may mean 'one who wraps' and tricinctus means 'three-banded'. The armadillo has three bands of hard plates and can roll into a tight ball, so the name points to being 'three-banded' and able to 'roll into a ball'.