Armadillo: Official mascot of 2014 FIFA World Cup

Seems like the count-down of the 2014 FIFA World Cup has already started as FIFA announces the official mascot for this mega event. A rare species of ‘Armadillo’, an endangered mammal, has been selected as the official mascot, though the nickname of that mascot has yet to be decided by an Internet poll, but Brazil’s World Cup organizing committee (COL) has chosen this animal by a local campaign.

Vastly known as ‘tatu-bola’, this mammal is primarily found in South and Central America, especially in Paraguay and surrounding areas. A Spanish name, ‘tatu-bola’ means ‘little armored one’, because these little mammals have the ability to save themselves from danger by rolling into a leathery ball-like shell.

Earlier this month FIFA also announced the official name of the match ball of FIFA 2014 and it has been named as ‘BRAZUCA’.