Article: Animals in armor: having a hard body is a good thing if you're an animal under attack.(includes information on armor worn by knights)(Cover Story)

You've heard of knights in shining armor. Even today, some people wear bullet- proof vests or ride around in armored vehicles. It's all to protect the body from harm.

But guess what--nature did it first! Many animals come with ready-made suits of armor. In fact, they make their own best bodyguards! Here are just a few.

Everybody knows about the armadillo--probably the world's most famous armored animal. Its name even means "little armored one" in Spanish. Its armor is made of super-tough skin and bony bands.

There are many kinds of armadillos. Some have bands all the way down their backs. Some have just a few bands. The nine-banded armadillo below can ...

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