This order includes all species of armadillo, which live in tropical and subtropical America. These animals have a unique carapace made of bony plates covered with horny scales, the number and shape of which vary according to the species, and which are connected to the skeleton by muscles and ligaments. These bony plates provide a protective function when the animal performs volvation, i.e. it rolls up totally or partially in a ball when threatened. Most armadillos are insectivores, but some species are omnivores.