Do armadillos carry diseases?

Yes, armadillos can carry leprosy and are one of the few animals besides humans that can contract this disease. However, transmission to humans is rare and requires prolonged contact. Armadillos may also carry salmonella and other bacteria. Always avoid handling wild armadillos directly.

What do armadillos eat?

Armadillos primarily eat insects including ants, termites, beetles, and grubs. They are omnivores that also consume small vertebrates, plant matter, and carrion. A nine banded armadillo can eat up to 40,000 ants in one meal. They use their excellent sense of smell to locate prey underground.

Where do armadillos live?

Armadillos are native to the Americas, ranging from the southern United States through Central and South America to Argentina. The nine banded armadillo is the only species in the U.S. and continues expanding northward. Different species inhabit grasslands, forests, and semi desert environments.

How fast can armadillos run?

Armadillos can run up to 30 mph in short bursts when fleeing from danger. Despite their armored appearance and short legs, they are surprisingly quick. However, they rely more on their ability to quickly dig into the ground or hide in burrows than outrunning predators.

Why do armadillos jump up?

When startled, armadillos instinctively jump 3 to 4 feet straight into the air as a defensive reflex. This behavior likely evolved to escape ground predators. Unfortunately, this jumping reaction often causes armadillos to collide with the underside of vehicles, resulting in many roadway deaths.

How long do armadillos live?

Armadillo lifespans vary by species, typically ranging from 4 to 30 years. Smaller species like the pink fairy armadillo live 5 to 10 years while larger species like the giant armadillo can live up to 30 years. Captive armadillos generally live longer than wild individuals.

Yes, armadillos are surprisingly good swimmers despite their heavy armor. They inflate their intestines with air to increase buoyancy and paddle across water. Alternatively, they can walk along the bottom of rivers and streams while holding their breath for up to six minutes.

Armadillo Facts: Armor, Behavior & Species

Explore the armored mammals of the Americas

Armadillos are armored mammals native to the Americas. Learn about armadillo species, shell structure, digging abilities, diet, and unique behaviors.

Key Facts

Scientific Family

Dasypodidae

Species

21 recognized species

Lifespan

4 to 30 years

Weight

3 oz to 119 lbs (85g to 54kg)

Length

5 to 59 inches (12 to 150 cm)

Diet

Omnivore (mainly insects)

Native Region

Americas (North and South)

Speed

Up to 30 mph (48 km/h)

Digging Speed

Can dig burrow in minutes

Armor Type

Bony plates called scutes

Active Period

Nocturnal and crepuscular

Reproduction

Usually 1 to 12 pups

About Armadillo Facts: Armor, Behavior & Species

Armadillos are unique mammals covered in protective armor made of bony plates. Native to the Americas, these fascinating creatures range from the tiny pink fairy armadillo weighing just 3 ounces to the giant armadillo at 119 pounds.

Armor and Physical Structure

The armadillo's most distinctive feature is its protective shell made of overlapping bony plates called scutes. These plates are covered with tough skin and connected by flexible bands. The number of bands varies by species, with the nine banded armadillo having nine movable bands across its midsection. Only the three banded armadillo can roll completely into a ball for defense.

Digging and Burrowing Abilities

Armadillos are exceptional diggers with powerful legs and sharp claws. They excavate extensive burrow systems that can reach 15 feet deep and 25 feet long. A single armadillo may maintain up to 12 different burrows in its territory. These burrows provide shelter from extreme temperatures and predators.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

Armadillos are primarily insectivores but qualify as omnivores due to their varied diet. The nine banded armadillo can eat up to 40,000 ants in a single meal. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell that detects prey up to 8 inches underground. Armadillos eat mainly at night when insects are most active.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Armadillo reproduction varies significantly among species. The nine banded armadillo has a unique reproductive trait called delayed implantation. After mating, the fertilized egg does not immediately implant in the uterus. It remains dormant for several months before development begins.

Behavior and Adaptations

Armadillos are mostly solitary and nocturnal animals. They have poor vision but compensate with exceptional hearing and smell. When startled, armadillos can jump 3 to 4 feet straight up in the air. Their body temperature is lower than most mammals, ranging from 89 to 97°F.

Habitat and Range Expansion

Armadillos inhabit diverse environments including grasslands, forests, and semi deserts across the Americas. The nine banded armadillo has dramatically expanded its range over the past century. Originally limited to Mexico and Central America, it now ranges from Argentina to the southern United States. Climate change and habitat modification have enabled armadillos to move into new territories.

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Historical Analysis

⚡Historical Significance

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Armadillos evolved in South America over 60 million years ago, and some ancient relatives grew as large as cars.
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Giant ground sloths and car sized glyptodonts were armadillo relatives that early humans in the Americas encountered and hunted.
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Nine banded armadillos crossed into North America only about 150 years ago and have been expanding northward ever since.
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During the Great Depression, armadillos became known as 'Hoover hogs' as poor Americans hunted them for food.

📝Critical Reception

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Research revealed armadillos are the only animals besides humans that can contract leprosy, making them crucial for vaccine research.
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Studies discovered armadillos can delay implantation of fertilized eggs for up to 4 months, waiting for favorable conditions.
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Scientists found armadillo shells are made of bone covered by keratin, essentially making them the only mammals with built in bone armor.
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Genetic studies showed all nine banded armadillos in the U.S. descended from just a few individuals that crossed from Mexico.

🌍Cultural Impact

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Texas adopted the nine banded armadillo as the official state small mammal in 1995.
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Armadillo shells were traditionally used to make charangos, a stringed instrument popular in Andean music.
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The armadillo became a symbol of Texas and the American Southwest, appearing on countless souvenirs and emblems.
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Armadillo races became a popular and quirky attraction at Texas festivals and events.

Before & After

📅Before

Before crossing into North America about 150 years ago, armadillos lived exclusively in Central and South America. They were tropical animals unknown to most North Americans except through rare zoo exhibits or reports from travelers.

🚀After

Armadillos have become one of North America's fastest spreading mammals, now found from Texas to Florida to Illinois. They thrive in suburban environments, sometimes to the frustration of homeowners whose lawns they excavate. Climate change continues pushing their range northward at approximately 10 miles per year.

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Did You Know?

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Nine banded armadillos always give birth to identical quadruplets from a single fertilized egg

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Armadillos can hold their breath for up to six minutes while digging through ant nests

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The word armadillo is Spanish for little armored one, referring to their protective shell

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Armadillos can jump 3 to 4 feet straight up when startled, which often causes car collisions

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The giant armadillo has up to 100 teeth, more than almost any other land mammal

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Armadillos are one of the only animals besides humans that can contract leprosy

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Why It Still Matters Today

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Armadillos continue expanding north due to climate change and may reach as far as New Jersey within decades

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Their unique identical quadruplet births make armadillos essential for medical research on genetics and disease

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Armadillos are the primary animal reservoir for leprosy bacteria, with about 20% carrying the disease in some areas

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They dig extensive burrows that provide shelter for over 350 other species across their range

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Rising temperatures allow armadillos to colonize new territories previously too cold for their survival

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Test Your Knowledge

How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!

1. What is unique about nine banded armadillo reproduction?

2. How do armadillos cross rivers despite being unable to float?

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Original Insights

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Armadillos jump straight up 3 to 4 feet when startled, which unfortunately launches them directly into car bumpers.

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Only one of 20 armadillo species can roll into a complete ball. The three banded armadillo is the only one that can do this.

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Armadillos have such poor eyesight that they often bump into things while walking and depend almost entirely on smell.

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A group of armadillos is called a 'fez' despite them being solitary animals that rarely gather.

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Pink fairy armadillos are only 4 inches long and spend almost their entire lives underground in Argentina.

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Armadillos always hold their breath when they walk, allowing them to walk underwater or dig without inhaling dirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only the three banded armadillo from South America can roll completely into a ball. Most armadillo species, including the nine banded armadillo found in the United States, cannot roll up. Instead, they crouch down to protect their soft belly or quickly dig into the ground to escape predators.

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Sources & References

Armadillo Biology and Natural History

Nine Banded Armadillo and Leprosy Research

Armadillo Reproduction: Obligate Polyembryony in Mammals

Armadillo Range Expansion in North America

Pink Fairy Armadillo: World's Smallest Armadillo Species

This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.

Editorial Approach:

This article reveals armadillos as surprisingly strange mammals that always produce identical quadruplets, can walk underwater, and are rapidly conquering North America, while explaining their unexpected importance to leprosy research.