Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Photo via Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The first-ever screaming hairy armadillo pups were born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

The pair of pups were born on August 11, according to a release from the zoo. They’re the offspring of Amber and Dylan Walter, which were recommended to breed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Screaming Hairy Armadillo Species Survival Plan.

The pups are still in the very early stages of life. They spend most of their time in their nest as their eyes have yet to open, zoo officials say. It’s also still too early to determine if they’re male or female.

The species gets its name from the squealing noise they make if they’re threatened and the greater amount of hair they have compared to other armadillo species. Zoo officials say that the pups’ bodies are already showing very fine hairs.

The smallest of the three armadillos species, screaming hairy armadillos weigh less than two pounds fully grown. At their last weigh-in, the zoo’s pups weighed 144 and 159 grams.

Visitors will be able to see them after they’ve grown larger and have gotten more comfortable in their enclosure.

For now, check out this video of the pups in action.

Filed Under: armadillo, national zoo, screaming hairy armadillo, zoo,