Cuteness overload: The youngest, palm-sized resident of Budapest Zoo – PHOTO

If you’ve been planning to visit the Budapest Zoo, now is the time. If you’re lucky enough, you can meet the recently born southern three-banded armadillo baby of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Just over a month ago, a southern three-banded armadillo baby boy was born in the central hall of the Palm House in the Budapest Zoo. In the last few weeks, noone could see much of the newborn. However, he’s been venturing out more and more lately. Thus, with a bit of luck, anyone can admire him, according to a Facebook post from the Budapest Zoo.

The newborn is still in need of constant parental care: she doesn’t get very far away from Luna, the eight-year-old mother.

What to know about the southern three-banded armadillo?

The southern three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes matacus) is an armadillo species from South America. It is found in parts of northern Argentina, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia, at elevations from sea level to 770 m. The southern three-banded armadillo and the other member of the genus Tolypeutes, the Brazilian three-banded armadillo, are the only species of armadillos capable of rolling into a complete ball to defend themselves (volvation)

The species is threatened by habitat destruction from conversion of its native Dry Chaco to farmland, and from hunting for food and the pet trade.

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