Zoo armadillos celebrate 19th birthdays

A zoo has marked the 19th birthday of a pair of armadillos this week.

Keepers at Telford Exotic Zoo in Shropshire said the aged pair, named Dillon and Doris, delighted both staff and visitors.

In the wild, the species typically has a lifespan of 15-18 years but they have been known to live beyond 20 in captivity.

Keepers of the six-banded armadillo pair, native to South America, celebrated the milestone on Monday.

Six-banded armadillos are known for their distinctive armoured shells and a strong sense of smell, which allows them to detect food up to 30cm (1 ft) underground.

Despite their name, they can have between six and eight bands across their backs —something visible on the pair in Telford.

While Doris has six bands, Dillon has eight, making them easier to identify.

Keepers at Telford Exotic Zoo, based in Telford Town Park, said the animals were firm favourites with visitors, with their latest birthday marking "an important milestone".

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