PATTERNS OF MORTALITY IN A POPULATION OF 9-BANDED ARMADILLOS, DASYPUS-NOVEMCINCTUS

We used data from carcasses found in a natural population of nine-band ed armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) to assess the sources and age str ucture of mortality. Juveniles (young of the year) made up approximate ly 33% of the living population, but constituted about 60% of all cara paces collected. Circumstantial evidence indicated that most juvenile, but not adult, mortality was probably due to predation. Increased adu lt mortality was associated with a period of prolonged drought.