Brown-bristled armadillo twins: Caia and Lanna conquer Rostock!

Brown-bristled armadillo twins: Caia and Lanna conquer Rostock!

There are two reasons to be happy at Rostock Zoo: two newly born brown-bristled armadillos have been given enchanting names. Caia and Lanna, the cheerful sisters, were born a few weeks ago in the South America House and are bringing a breath of fresh air to the zoo with their curiosity and thirst for discovery. The choice of name was very well received by visitors to the zoo, with suggestions ranging from traditional names like Waltraud to humorous alternatives like Trolli and Rolli, as Moin.de reports.

The name Caia means “the pure one” and Lanna means “the little rock”. Visitors are warmly invited to observe the two young animals in their enclosure as they frolic around and explore the surroundings. This armadillo species is not only a highlight at Rostock Zoo, but has also been named “Zoo Animal of the Year 2025”.

Species protection in focus

Armadillo conservation is the focus of the Zoo Animal of the Year campaign. According to information from the Zoological Society for Species and Population Protection (ZGAP), many organizations in countries such as Brazil and Colombia are committed to preserving this fascinating animal species. Brown-bristled armadillos are best known for their special reproduction: after a gestation period of around 65 days, they give birth to one or two young, naked and blind. The Rostock Zoo has already reported breeding success with twins in October 2024, in which parents Nara and Fred play an important role. Nara is three years old, while her partner Fred is already 20 years old and has been enriching the Rostock Zoo since 2022, as Zoo-Rostock.de adds.

At Rostock Zoo, visitors have the opportunity to experience the young animals directly and learn more about their lifestyle. These armadillos have a unique shell made of movable belts and are primarily insectivores. They are even considered “ecosystem engineers” because their digging activities influence the habitat for many other animals.

Conservation breeding and international cooperation

The progressive breeding and protection of endangered animal species are central concerns of zoological institutions. In Europe, brown-bristled armadillos are represented in 58 zoos, with the Rostock Zoo playing a particularly important role. Only in Zagreb Zoo were there other offspring of this species. The campaign also promotes comprehensive educational work and protection projects in the armadillos' home countries.

ZGAP itself is involved, among other things, in various projects to protect endangered species, such as the Java pustule and the northern Batagur river turtle. ZGAP's work includes not only breeding programs, but also the establishment of protected areas and scientific research to counteract threatening factors such as habitat loss and poaching. These initiatives help to protect endangered species and sustainably preserve their habitats, which is clearly visible in the example of armadillos.

While the new brown-bristled armadillos Caia and Lanna are providing fresh life at Rostock Zoo, one thing is certain: the commitment to species protection and the preservation of our animal companions is an issue that concerns us all. Rostock Zoo and its partners are passionate about ensuring the future of these wonderful species.