“Approximately 20 species of armadillo exist, but the nine-banded is the only one found in the United States. The term “armadillo” means “little armored one” in Spanish, and refers to the presence of bony, armor-like plates covering their body,” explains The National Wildlife Federation.
Nine-Banded
Despite their name, nine-banded armadillos can sometimes have 7 to 11 bands on its midsection that let It bend. There are nine (sometimes fewer) narrow, jointed armor bands on its midsection that let it bend. A common misconception is that nine-banded armadillos can roll up into spherical balls. In reality, only two species of armadillo (both three-banded) are able to roll up completely. Armadillos are not native to Florida, but now they thrive here due to our climate.
Description
Nine-banded armadillos are about 2.5 feet (0.7 meters) long from the nose to the tip of the tail and weigh an average of 12 pounds (5 kilograms).
National Geographic states that “they are related to anteaters and sloths and have a pointy or shovel-shaped snout and small eyes. They vary widely in size and color, from the 6-inch-long, salmon-colored pink fairy armadillo to the 5-foot-long, dark-brown giant armadillo. Others have black, red, gray, or yellowish coloring”.
Life Span
7 to 10 years is their average life span in captivity.
Location
Cold weather can destroy an entire population. They live in warm habitats that are mild, including rain forests, grasslands, and semi-deserts. Cold is their enemy because they have a low metabolic rate and no fat stores.
“Small streams are no obstacle for these amazing animals. The nine-banded armadillo can hold its breath for up to six minutes and can swim or “walk” along the bottom of rivers. Their abandoned burrows are utilized by other animals, such as pine snakes, rabbits, opossums, mink, cotton rats, striped skunks, burrowing owls, and eastern indigo snakes,” reports The National Wildlife Federation.
Habits and Diet
These animals love to sleep up to 16 hours per day. They are nocturnal, keeping cool underground during the day and foraging at night. Armadillos are omnivores and eat beetles, ants, termites, small vertebrates, plants, and some fruit. Their eyesight is very poor and they use their sense of smell to hunt. Armadillos are diggers that excavate land for food and dig burrows for shelter. They prefer to dig in areas with loose, porous soil, rich in insects and invertebrates.
Diseases
Armadillos can carry the leprosy bacterium that causes leprosy in humans (Mycobacterium leprae). The risk is extremely low of contracting leprosy from an armadillo. Scientists believe that in order to contract leprosy from an armadillo, one must consume armadillo meat and/or handle armadillos frequently.
Damage
Armadillos can do major damage. Here are some signs of armadillo damage:
- Cracked concrete, foundation or sidewalk/driveway
- Armadillo tracks: four toes in front with elongated center two toes; five toes in back with elongated center three toes; all claws visible.
- Damaged underground pipes or wires
- Holes throughout lawn, about 3-5″ wide and 1-3″ deep
- Uprooted seedings and plants
- Burrow entrances, about 7-10″ in diameter, next to or underneath structures, brush piles, sidewalks, low-lying shrubs, etc.
If you see any signs of the nine-banded armadillos, make sure you let a professional pest control company handle it for you?
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state certified inspectors and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.