I was driving on I-285, 2 miles from my exit, and saw a dead armadillo on the side of the highway. It was the first I’d seen around my Decatur, Georgia home. My trail camera, in my backyard, has captured photos of deer, coyotes, owls, hawks, squirrels, possums, raccoons, crows, stray cats, and dogs, but no armadillos yet.
Armadillos are fascinating mammals known for their unique appearance and behavior. They belong to the order Cingulata and the family Dasypodidae. There are 21 recognized species of armadillos, classified into nine genera. The most common and well-known species is the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Armadillos have several distinct physical features:
- Armored Shell: Their most distinctive feature is their hard, bony shell composed of overlapping plates called scutes. The shell covers their back, head, tail, and parts of their legs, providing protection against predators.
- Size and Weight: Armadillo species vary in size. The nine-banded armadillo, for example, typically weighs between 6 and 15 pounds (2.7 to 6.8 kg) and measures around 24 inches (60 cm) in length.
- Snout and Claws: Armadillos have long snouts and strong, sharp claws on their front feet, which they use for digging burrows and searching for food.
Armadillos are primarily found in the Americas, ranging from the United States (mainly in the southern states) to Argentina. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and semi-arid regions. They are usually brown, gray, or tan in color.
Some species are adapted to specific environments, such as the pink fairy armadillo (Chlamyphorus truncatus), which is native to Argentina and lives in sandy plains. Most armadillos are nocturnal, meaning they are active during the night and rest during the day. This behavior helps them avoid extreme temperatures and predators.
They are excellent diggers. They use their strong claws to create burrows for shelter, nesting, and finding food. Some armadillos can dig very quickly, making burrows up to 15 feet (4.5 meters) long. When threatened, armadillos can curl into a ball, protecting their vulnerable underside.
Armadillo burrows that they create can be located in rock piles, stumps, brushes, terraces, around brush, or in dense woodlands.
The Georgia armadillo despite its poor eyesight, has a very powerful sense of smell. It is also a very good swimmer and is able to walk across the bottom of small streams.
The average lifespan of an armadillo is between twelve to fifteen years in captivity but can exceed these numbers out in the wild.
The bony plates on their shell act as a defense mechanism against predators. They primarily feed on insects and other invertebrates like ants, termites, beetles, and worms. They use their keen sense of smell to locate their prey. Armadillos have a unique reproductive system:
- Delayed Implantation: After mating, the fertilized egg undergoes delayed implantation in the female’s uterus. This adaptation allows the female to time the birth of her offspring with favorable environmental conditions.
- Polyembryony: In some species of armadillos, like the nine-banded armadillo, a single fertilized egg can divide into identical embryos, resulting in the birth of genetically identical quadruplets.
Armadillos are not currently considered endangered, but some species face threats due to habitat loss, road accidents, hunting, and predation by domestic dogs. Conservation efforts focus on preserving their natural habitats and raising awareness about the importance of coexistence.
Pests
One of the primary concerns with armadillos is their impact on landscaping and gardens. They often uproot plants, flowers, and shrubs while digging for insects, causing unsightly damage to lawns and flower beds. Their burrows can also destabilize structures like fences and patios.
In agricultural areas, armadillos can become problematic pests. They may damage crops, particularly root crops like potatoes, by digging around the plants and causing root exposure or plant disruption. This can lead to reduced crop yields and economic losses for farmers.
Armadillo burrows can pose safety risks to humans and livestock. The holes created by their digging activities may be hidden or camouflaged, leading to trip hazards and potential injuries. Livestock may also accidentally step into armadillo burrows, resulting in leg injuries.
While armadillos are not major disease vectors for humans, there is a small risk of disease transmission. Armadillos can carry bacteria such as Mycobacterium leprae[1], which causes leprosy. However, human infections are relatively rare and primarily occur through direct contact with armadillos. Managing armadillos as pests typically involves a combination of deterrents and exclusion methods. Some strategies include:
- Fencing: Installing fences around vulnerable areas can help prevent armadillos from accessing gardens or crops.
- Burrow Filling: Identifying and filling armadillo burrows can discourage their return or the arrival of new individuals.
- Habitat Modification: Removing potential food sources, such as insects or grubs, can make an area less attractive to armadillos.
- Repellents: Certain repellents, such as those containing castor oil or predator urine, may help deter armadillos from specific locations.
Footnotes
- Mycobacterium leprae is the bacterium responsible for causing leprosy, a chronic infectious disease primarily affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes. It is an acid-fast, slow-growing bacterium that primarily targets the cooler regions of the body, such as the skin, nose, and peripheral nerves. M. leprae is transmitted through prolonged close contact with respiratory droplets from infected individuals. While leprosy is a relatively rare disease today, M. leprae remains a significant public health concern in some regions of the world. Early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy are crucial in controlling the spread of leprosy and preventing disabilities associated with the disease. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- “Armadillos are showing up farther north as the climate warms” (March 21, 2023) https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/03/armadillos-are-showing-up-farther-north-as-the-climate-warms/
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. (n.d.). Armadillo. Retrieved from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/armadillo
- “FACTS ABOUT ARMADILLOS ” http://www.augustawildlife.com/aboutarmadillos.html
- The University of Arizona. (n.d.). Armadillos: Dasypodidae – Behavior & Ecology. Retrieved from https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_armadillo.php
- University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2021). Armadillos. Retrieved from https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw060
- University of Georgia Extension. (2016). Armadillos: Living with Wildlife. Retrieved from https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1191
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. (2020). Managing Armadillo Damage. Retrieved from https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/wildlife/managing-armadillo-damage/
- World Health Organization. (2020). Leprosy. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leprosy
