The Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a common mammal found across Alabama, and its presence is well-established throughout much of the state. These animals, recognized by their bony armor, represent a relatively recent addition to the region’s wildlife population. Understanding their biology and habits is relevant for residents, as their activities frequently lead to conflicts in suburban and agricultural settings. Encountering this species, or evidence of its foraging, is common from the Gulf Coast upward into the central counties.
Range and History in Alabama
The armadillo is not native to Alabama but migrated into the state as part of a significant range expansion across the southern United States. They were first officially noted around the 1940s, primarily near Mobile County in the southern portion of the state. This initial colonization stemmed from populations established in Florida, likely due to accidental releases or unintentional transport. The population expanded rapidly and is now found throughout the southern two-thirds of Alabama, inhabiting 59 of the state’s 67 counties. Their northward movement is facilitated by Alabama’s mild winter temperatures, which prevent the ground from freezing solid. The species requires loose, porous soil conditions to dig for food and shelter, making much of the state a suitable habitat.
Identifying Features and Habits
The Nine-banded Armadillo is the only species found in the United States. Its name refers to the bony, flexible rings of armor that cover its back, tail, and head, though the number of movable bands usually ranges between eight and eleven. An adult is generally the size of a large opossum, with a long, tapered snout and powerful legs equipped with elongated claws for digging. These animals are primarily insectivores, using their sharp sense of smell to locate food buried underground. Their diet consists of invertebrates, such as earthworms, insect larvae, grubs, and ants, which they unearth by rooting through soil. This continuous search for food results in the characteristic shallow, cone-shaped holes often seen in lawns and gardens.
Armadillos are largely nocturnal, active mostly during the night and early morning hours, though they may forage during the day in colder weather. They are prolific burrowers, and a single animal may maintain multiple burrows within its home range, sometimes up to a dozen. These burrows can be substantial, measuring seven to eight inches in diameter and extending up to fifteen feet in depth. The species possesses obligate polyembryony: a single fertilized egg consistently divides to produce four genetically identical young. This results in a litter of quadruplets that are always the same sex.
Practical Advice for Managing Nuisance and Risks
Conflict between armadillos and humans arises from their foraging and burrowing activities, which damage landscaping and property foundations. Armadillos create shallow, three-inch wide holes in turf while searching for soil invertebrates, and their deeper burrows can undermine sidewalks, driveways, and building structures. The most effective management strategy involves modifying the environment to make it less appealing to them. Reducing the population of ground-dwelling insects, such as grubs and beetle larvae, can encourage armadillos to seek food elsewhere.
Exclusion and Trapping
Exclusion techniques, such as installing a perimeter fence, can protect high-value areas like gardens. An effective exclusion fence should be at least three feet high and extend 12 to 18 inches into the ground to prevent climbing and burrowing. In localized areas, live trapping can be implemented using large cage traps. These traps are most effective when positioned directly in the armadillo’s travel path or with wooden “wings” to funnel the animal toward the entrance. Overripe fruits or mealworms can be used as bait, though no single bait is highly reliable.
Health Risks and Legal Status
A consideration for property owners is the public health risk associated with the species. Armadillos are natural hosts for the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy in humans. The risk of transmission is low, but minimizing direct contact with armadillos, especially sick or deceased ones, is a sensible precaution. Armadillos are classified as unprotected nuisance wildlife in Alabama, allowing for their removal or control by landowners where local firearm regulations permit.