Armadillo's Quadruplets Still a Mystery

@celticeagle (182618)

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

5 people like this

3 responses

@TheHorse (232661)

• Walnut Creek, California

5h

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 (182618)

• Boise, Idaho

4h

That must be part of their DNA.

1 person likes this

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@RasmaSandra (91383)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

4h

How interesting I did not know this about armadillos,

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@celticeagle (182618)

• Boise, Idaho

4h

I didn't either.

2 people like this

@wolfgirl569 (125783)

• Marion, Ohio

3h

That is strange

1 person likes this