Armadillo Anatomy
A collection of interactive and presentation-ready illustrations designed to help non-specialist audiences understand the unusual skeletal adaptations of armadillos and other xenarthrans.
The project combines anatomical illustrations, animation, and interactive media. An interactive web application allows viewers to explore the armadillo skeleton by selecting individual structures, revealing supporting illustrations and animations that explain what makes each adaptation distinctive and how it functions.
Because many of these adaptations are difficult to appreciate without an anatomical reference point, the project also includes a series of comparative illustrations using the domestic dog as a familiar quadruped model. By presenting structures such as the armadillo's synsacrum alongside a more familiar mammalian skeleton, the differences become visually meaningful even for viewers without a background in anatomy.
Together, the assets form a flexible visual system that can communicate the same scientific concepts across interactive, presentation, and educational formats.
Interactive Infographic:
Interactivity
The project uses an interactive, clickable illustration to encourage viewers to investigate armadillo anatomy at their own pace. Individual anatomical features can be explored, creating a more engaging alternative to a static anatomy diagram.
The interactive format is designed to support both self-guided learning and live educational presentations, allowing information to be revealed progressively rather than presenting every anatomical detail at once.
Comparative Anatomy
Comparative anatomy provides context for understanding specialized adaptations. Aarmadillo structures are compared with the anatomy of a more familiar mammal, helping viewers recognize how changes in bone shape, proportions, and muscular attachments relate to the animal's specialized lifestyle.
This approach transforms anatomical differences into functional explanations, particularly for an unspecialized audience.
Presentation-Ready Slides
The illustrations were designed to function as presentation slides as well as components of the interactive experience. Each visual can communicate a specific anatomical concept while maintaining a consistent visual language across the larger project.