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A lot faster than you think. Or maybe not, but this was eye opening at CW HQ. Despite their heavily armored and lumbering appearance, armadillos can reach a top speed of 30 miles per hour.
Altrendo nature/You'll find a lot of diversity in size and form within the armadillo order, Cingulata. At the top of the pack is the giant armadillo, weighing in at a hefty 70 pounds (31 kilograms) and measuring up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) from head to tail. You wouldn't want to foot the bill for a giant armadillo's trip to the dentist.
Although it loses many stubby teeth throughout its lifetime, the species can have up to 100 at one time. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there's Argentina's pink fairy armadillo. This species is as diminutive as it sounds - it's barely 3 ounces and less than 4 inches (10 centimeters) long. Despite its petite size, the pink fairy armadillo still has a tough shell shielding its head and back.The armadillo's outer shell makes it look tough, at least to humans. Nevertheless, it still has a handful of predators that can strike at its soft, unprotected belly.
In the United States, larger enemies include mountain lions,. Since the armadillo can't inflict a wounding bite or do much damage with its claws, how can it protect itself? HowStuffWorks 2008足The three-banded armadillo has another trick up its armor, however. It is the only type of armadillo that can roll itself into a ball when endangered. Folding its body in half, the three-banded armadillo tucks its head and legs into its shell.
It then curls its tail beside the head and pulls in tight. Since the top of the head and the tail are armored as well, the end result leaves virtually no exposed flesh for a predator to hurt. Remember, though, that you won't witness an armadillo pull this stunt on the side of the road in the United States.
North America only is home to the non-balling, nine-banded armadillo.The key to the three-banded armadillo's defense mechanism is in its shell. A combination of bone and a tough tissue coating, its shell is called a carapace (which, by the way, is the same term for a ). About 2,000 tiny scales, or scutes, are composed of the protein keratin and make up the carapace. The carapace is divided into the anterior scapular shield over its forequarters and the posterior pelvic shield over its hindquarters. Between those two shields are a series of bands that vary depending on the armadillo species.
These softer bands look like an accordion and allow for mobility. In most armadillos, the two shields are attached to the skin on all sides.Not so for the three-banded kind. Its shields are unattached along its lateral sides, and it has extra room between the skin and the shell for tucking in source:. Other armadillos can hunch over to attempt to conceal most of their abdomens, but their shields provide no space for retracting their limbs.This fetal position response may not make armadillos the bravest animals in a fight.
However, if you were up against a cougar or coyote, you'd probably want to roll up into a tiny ball and wait it out, too, like the little armored one. 'Armadillos.' The Humane Society of the United States.' 29, 2008)Feldhamer, George A.; Thompson, Bruce Carlyle; and Chapman, Joseph A. 'Wild Mammals of North America.' 29, 2008)Lumpkin, Susan.
'Strange Joints: Anteaters, Armadillos, and Sloths.' Smithsonian National Zoological Park. November/December 2007. 2008)Mengak, Michael T. 'Nine-Banded Armadillo.' Warnell School of Forest Resources.
![Armadillo Running Fast Armadillo Running Fast](http://heatherrunsfast.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/armadillo2.jpg?w=490)
University of Georgia. 29, 2008)%20Armadillo.pdf.
Nowak, Ronald M. And Walker, Ernest Pilsbury. 'Walker's Mammals of the World.' 29, 2008)http://books.google.com/books?id=T37sFCl43E8C.
If you want to improve your average pace per mile, try the following workouts to increase your speed and build up endurance. Interval trainingWarm up for 10 minutes by jogging slowly. Then run a high-intensity pace (where you can’t hold a conversation comfortably) for 2 to 5 minutes. Jog for the same amount of time to recover.Repeat 4 to 6 times.
Do this a minimum of once or twice per week until you’ve comfortably reached your desired speed. Tempo trainingThe goal is to run at a tempo pace, or a comfortably hard pace. It should be slightly faster than your target goal time.Run at this pace for a few minutes, followed by several minutes of jogging. Work up to 10 to 15 minutes of tempo pace for a 5K and 20 to 30 minutes of running at your tempo pace for longer races. Hill trainingIf you’re planning on running a race that has hills, it’s important to train on them. Pick a hill that’s of similar length and incline to the one you’ll encounter in the race.
Or, if you have access to the course, train on the hills there.Run at tempo pace up the hill, and then jog back down. Repeat several times. Your running pace is usually determined by how fast you run 1 mile, on average.
To determine your best running pace:. Go to a nearby track. Warm up for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Time yourself and run 1 mile. Go at a pace where you push yourself, but don’t run all out.You can also do this on any flat running trail or path.Use your mile time as a goal for training.
Every few weeks, go back to the track and time your mile pace again as a way to track your progress.If you’re planning to run a race, try to have a realistic goal time in mind. Try using an online calculator to determine your pace per mile in order to meet your goal.You can follow an online training plan to help improve your pace. Or, if it’s in your budget, you can work with a running coach. To stay safe and healthy while running, follow these tips:. Buy running-specific shoes that offer strong arch and ankle support. Look for a local running store near you.
They can outfit you with the right running shoes for your goals. Swap out your running shoes every.
Run in safe, well-lit areas. Look for popular trails, tracks, and parks where you can run near your home or office. Watch out for tripping hazards, like rocks, crevices, tree branches, and uneven surfaces.
If you’re new to running, start out at a comfortable, slow pace that’s conversational. You can build up speed from there. You can also alternate between running and walking to start.
Drink while you run. If you’re going out for a longer run, look for running routes near you that have water fountains or somewhere you can leave a water bottle. Refuel with a snack or light meal within after your run.
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