They spend most of their lives sleeping and foraging on their own, except when breeding or caring for their young. Armadillo BehaviorĪrmadillos are solitary animals that like to be left alone. They are characterized by a pointed snout, a long head, four short legs, and small black eyes. The average size of an armadillo ranges from 25 to 45 inches long. Their armor consists of overlapping plates that extend all the way from their head to their tail. They are distributed largely across the South and much of the East Coast.Īrmadillo Distribution In North America Armadillo AppearanceĪrmadillos are grayish-brown, barrel-shaped animals with natural armor to protect them from predators. Today, the only species found in the US is the nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus. Here are some armadillo traits to help you identify these pests so we can manage the pest in an effective way: Armadillo OriginĪrmadillos originated over 3 million years ago in South America. Creatures behave in different ways so identification is critical for success. Otherwise, you run the risk of following the guidance in our article only to find it ineffective.
Armadillo holes in yard professional#
If you have an armadillo problem call your local humane wildlife control professional today.To begin, you must first identify the pest that comes into your yard in the middle of the night. In spite of how interesting the Armadillo is, you do not want them damaging your lawn and flower beds. Offspring in the litter genetically identical to each other. The armadillo is also famous for the fact their litters are always formed from the same egg, making each Armadillos have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell. They have long sticky tongues that enable them to slurp up fast moving ants and other insects as needed. They also make noises from time to time including grunting noises as they search for food and squeaks and squeals when they feel threatened. In general, they love the water and it helps keep them cool during warmer months.Īrmadillos tend to release a musky smell, an odor that intensifies when threatened. They can also walk along the bottom of ponds and streams and their strong legs and claws enable them to have an effective ability to "dog paddle" as needed. Because of this, in many areas, the opossum is the most common road killed animal and armadillos are the 2nd most common.Īn uncanny ability that the armadillo has is their ability to swim in spite of their heavy shells and unusual anatomy - they swim by inflating their stomachs and intestines with air for floatation and can even remain underwater for as long as six minutes. This habit helps startle predators but gets them into trouble when passing under cars on the highway, making them a common road kill fixture on many Florida roads.Īrmadillos and opossum both eat road kill carrion at night when passing vehicles can accidentally hit them. Nine-banded armadillo has a tendency to jump straight in the air when startled - up to 2 feet in the air at times. Armadillos tend to be able to move quickly in spite of their short legs and the The armadillo has surprising physical abilities. If you are trying to view any potential armadillos around your home, remember that armadillos are nocturnal, and are most active around dawn and dusk. Problem For Florida Residents Armadillo Habits & Behaviorįor the most part, Armadillos are non-aggressive and tend to run away when threatened, however, their claws can be harmful and any handling of the animals should be left to a professional such as your local Wildlife Whisperer.Ĭontrary to popular belief most species of armadillo cannot roll up into a ball to protect themselves, including the Nine-banded variety found in the United States. Removal is very important in Cape Coral, Pine Island, Boca Grande and surrounding areas. The warm Florida climate is perfect for armadillos and they are prolific in Southwest Florida,Ĭonsequently, finding expert armadillo control, prevention, and
Have the required insulating fat reserves that would allow them to do well in extreme cold temperatures. However, their expansion is limited because their anatomy does not
They have slowly spread northward and westward. To the nine-banded species found in the U.S.Īrmadillo wildlife is most common in the central southern, far south and southeastern areas of the country, particularly Texas. The armadillo is neither a rodent nor a marsupial, but is actually related to the anteater and sloth.Īrmadillos are native to the Americas and come in a variety of species from the tiny pink fairy armadillo The armadillo is a nocturnal mammal known for its protective shell which covers its body like a coat of armor.
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