Learn how to draw a great looking Armadillo with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.
By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Armadillo.
Jump to the step-by-step instructions.
Would you like to learn how to draw an armadillo? Complete this cartoon mammal outline before he turns into a ball and rolls away!
Armadillos are small mammals native to North, Central, and South America. The 20 or so species range in size from 6 inches to 5 feet in length.
They also live in a variety of habitats - rainforests, grasslands, and deserts. The nine-banded armadillo of the southern United States is about 2.5 feet in length.
Armadillos are famous for their body armor. Like a knight from the middle ages, armadillos have a set of strong, overlapping plates called a carapace. The carapace and its protective scales are made of bone and skin.
Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.
Armadillos are famous for rolling into a protective ball when frightened, but not all armadillos can do this.
Three-banded armadillos can, but others draw in their feet so that the armor touches the ground. They also use their armor to block the entrances to their burrows.
According to scientists, the armadillo's closest relatives are sloths and anteaters.
If you liked this tutorial, see also the following drawing guides: Praying Mantis, Antelope, and Moth.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Drawing an Armadillo
How to Draw a Great Looking Armadillo for Kids, Beginners, and Adults - Step 1
1. Begin the armadillo outline by drawing the creature's face. Use a long, curved line for the top of the face. Allow it to overlap with a "J" shaped line that forms the nose and mouth. Detail the nostrils with "U" shaped lines. Shade a small oval inside of a circle to form the eye.
Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 2
2. Finish the cartoon armadillo's head. Use pairs of curved lines that meet at points to draw the upright ears. Use long curved lines to draw the lower jaw and to contour the jaw and the side of the face.
Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 3
3. Draw the armadillo's armored back. Use curved lines to enclose a curved shape behind the head. At the top and bottom of this shape, extend a scalloped line. Then, connected the scallops with another long curved line. Use short lines to contour inside the ear and to finish enclosing the neck.
Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 4
4. Draw bands across the animal's back, with the long lines nearly meeting the junctions of the scallops. Use a long curved line to enclose the rump, and extend two short curved lines below the body to begin sketching the leg.
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Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 5
5. Draw three large toenails or claws on the foot. Use a curved triangle for each one. Then, extend the lines of the second leg and draw triangular claws on it, too.
Did you know? Armadillos use their strong claws for digging.
Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 6
6. Draw the rear legs and feet. Again, use curved lines for the sides of the legs. Then, draw three triangular claws at the tip of the foot.
Easy Armadillo Drawing - Step 7
7. Complete the triangle-shaped claws of the remaining foot. Then, extend two long curved lines from the rump and allow them to meet at a point, enclosing the tail. Add a scaley, armored texture to the top of the armadillo's head using many "U" shaped lines.
MORE DRAWING TUTORIALS:
Add More Details to Your Armadillo Picture - Step 8
8. Continue to texture the armadillo's body. Band the bands around his middle with short lines. Use "U" shaped lines to give his armor a scaly texture.
Complete the Outline of Your Armadillo Drawing - Step 9
9. Complete your armadillo outline by banding the tail with short lines and texturing the rump and legs with "U" shaped scales.
Color Your Armadillo Drawing
Color your cartoon of an armadillo. This animal is typically grey or light brown.
Armadillo Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages
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