Identification
There are about 20 species of armadillos
Average about 30 inches in length including the tail(cat sized) and weigh about 15 lbs.
The giant armadillo can reach the size of a small pig at about 60 inches long and weigh about 120 lbs.
They have a leathery shell that covers the top part of the animal and tail. The bottom is never armored and is covered in soft skin and fur.
Grayish brown oval-shaped body.
They have sharp claws for digging. They have 5 clawed toes on their hind feet and 3-5 toes with heavy claws on their forefeet.
They have a pointy snout and small eyes.
If you have lots of little holes dug up throughout your yard about 3-5″ wide and 1-3″ deep, chances are it is from an armadillo searching for grubs.
Habitat
Found in Latin America primarily. The 9-banded is the only species that is in the U.S.
Warm Moist climates, primarily in brush, woods, scrub, and grasslands.
Nesting
The nine-banded armadillo builds burrows in moist soil near streams, creeks, or rivers where it feeds. Burrows are usually the width of the animal 7-8″ and up to 15 feet deep.
Behavior
Usually, sleep for 16 hours a day. Mainly nocturnal in the southern warmer areas.
Further north they will come out during daylight to warm their temperatures some in the sun.
While they have poor eyesight, they have a keen sense of smell and also use hairs on their belly to sense the surrounding area and to find food.
Armadillos are great swimmers, and they can hold their breath for up to six minutes or inflate their stomachs to buoyantly swim across a body of water.
They can walk underwater to cross streams as well.
One common misconception about armadillos is that they can roll up in their shell, similar to pillbugs, when frightened.
Only two species can roll up completely, and both are types of three-banded armadillos.
When frightened, armadillos leap 3 to 4 feet vertically into the air, which is why they are often hit by cars. Though they are small enough for cars to pass over them, they get scared and jump into the car’s undercarriage. This unfortunate yet frequent cause of death is the origin behind their nickname the “hillbilly speed bump.”
Offspring
When giving birth, nine-banded armadillos produce identical quadruplets. Other species have typical litters from 1 to 8.
Young are born with soft leathery skin that hardens in a matter of weeks. They are sexually mature in 3 to 12 months depending on the species.
They are solitary animals and don’t share their burrows with other adults. Only socialize for mating or to combine body heat during extreme cold.
The average lifespan is 12-15 years.
Predators
Most escape their predators by running quickly into thorny patches where their armor protects them, or by digging.
Common predators include mountain lions, black bears, alligators, and human vehicles.
Diet
They are great diggers. They use their sharp claws to dig for food and to dig dens.
Eat mainly insects, invertebrates, grubs, beetles, ants, and grasshoppers. Occasionally eat berries or bird eggs.
They love moist soil to dig in to find food. If the soil is too hard, they move to a different spot.
Fun Facts
The armadillo is an official state animal of Texas, designated in 1927. There are 20 armadillo species in the world (mostly in Latin America) but only one species in the United States.
Its name is Spanish for “little armored one,” which serves true, as it is the only living mammal that sports such a shell.
Armadillos are closely related to anteaters and sloths.
Armadillos have a sour reputation because they are known to carry leprosy. They have a slow metabolism leading to a lower body temperature, making them susceptible to the bacteria causing leprosy. However, cases of humans contracting leprosy by handling armadillos are extremely rare.
Some people also think of armadillos as “gravediggers,” but that is only because they prefer looser soil, such as that around a gravesite, to hunt for insects. Others think their shell is bulletproof, and while armadillos have been known to survive low-caliber weapons, their shells don’t stand a chance against weapons with high penetration power.