While they can be a nuisance pest for many home and business owners because of the damage they cause to yards and buildings as a result of their digging and burrowing, armadillos are one of the most fascinating creatures. The only living mammal that has a shell, the word armadillo translated from Spanish means “little-armored one.” And, although most people are familiar with the armadillo’s appearance, there is actually much more to them than meets the eye.
Interesting Facts About Armadillos
- There are 20 different species, but the nine-banded armadillo is the only one that lives in North
- The nine-banded armadillo is the official small state mammal of Texas.
- Depending on the latitude and season, armadillos can sleep up to 19 hours a day.
- Armadillos are nocturnal animals who typically forage, eat, burrow, and mate at night.
- Their low body temperature makes them ideal hosts for contracting and transmitting leprosy. However, it has been said that armadillos initially contracted the disease from New World Europeans in the late 15th century.
- Because of the number of plates most armadillos have, not all of them can roll into balls. In fact, only two species – the Brazilian and southern three-banded armadillos are capable of encasing themselves in their shell to deter predators.
- Their lack of fat and low metabolic rate prevents the armadillos from living in areas that experience extreme cold
- Armadillos have a powerful sense of smell, allowing them to sniff out their food from up to 20 centimeters beneath the ground.
- Nine-banded armadillos always give birth to four identical This is because the babies are produced from a single egg which splits into four.
Armadillos have strong legs and huge front claws which help them dig into the sandy Florida soil when searching for their next meal. As a result, they leave small unsightly holes 3 inches wide to 5 inches deep. They are also known to pull up flowers and other vegetation, making an enormous mess of well-manicured lawns and gardens.
Armadillo Control in Tampa
If armadillos are invading your property, call Critter Control® of Tampa to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced wildlife removal technicians.
