The fur on the lower part of an armadillo lion's face is white, along with its feet. The armadillo lion's main trunk and the upper parts of its legs are covered by shaggy brown hair. Its back is topped by an armadillo-like segmented carapace, which extends to cover the top of its head. It also has a hairless, armadillo-like tail. Its body structure allows the armadillo lion to curl up into an armored ball when startled, much like the three-banded armadillo.