Armadillo's Quadruplets Still a Mystery

@celticeagle (182693)

Boise, Idaho

December 2, 2025 2:43pm CST

Known as polyembryony this phenomenon where an armadillo female will release a single egg which then splits into four embryo each time is still a mystery. This nine-banded armadillo is the only animal in the animal kingdom who gives birth to identical quadruplets each time they give birth. Each genetically identical and all sharing one placenta. How and why this happens remains a mystery

7 people like this

5 responses

@TheHorse (232718)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Dec

I had not heard about this. Do they all share a tendency to run onto Texas roads and get squished?

3 people like this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

2 Dec

That must be part of their DNA.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Dec

@DaddyEvil .......Oh, no. That's terrible.

1 person likes this

@DaddyEvil (162936)

• United States

4 Dec

I know. I can't believe they'd put that in their magazine.

@wolfgirl569 (125887)

• Marion, Ohio

2 Dec

That is strange

2 people like this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Dec

Oddity in nature.

1 person likes this

@RasmaSandra (91454)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

2 Dec

How interesting I did not know this about armadillos,

2 people like this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

2 Dec

I didn't either.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (366608)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Dec

That's truly amazing! Mother Nature has a lot of tricks up her sleeve.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Dec

She sure does.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (207497)

• United States

3 Dec

Far out. Very interesting.

1 person likes this

@celticeagle (182693)

• Boise, Idaho

3 Dec

I thought so too.

1 person likes this