Armadillos, with their distinctive bony plates, are present across Georgia. The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the sole species found in the state and the southeastern United States. These nocturnal mammals are widespread throughout much of Georgia, particularly in central and southern regions, and can be found in most of Georgia’s 159 counties. They are approximately the size of an opossum or a large house cat, typically measuring 24 to 32 inches long, including their tail.
The Armadillo’s Journey to Georgia
The nine-banded armadillo’s presence in Georgia is a relatively recent development, part of a broader northward and eastward expansion across the United States. Originating from South America, these armadillos first entered Texas across the Rio Grande in the 19th century. By the 1930s, they had reached Louisiana, and by 1954, they had crossed the Mississippi River, continuing their eastward movement. Simultaneously, armadillos were introduced into Florida in the 1950s, with some escaping from a small zoo in 1924 and a traveling circus in 1936, establishing a separate population that also began migrating northward.
This rapid range expansion has been influenced by several factors. Armadillos have few natural predators in their expanded range, and their high reproductive rate, often producing identical quadruplets from a single egg, contributes to their population growth. While large rivers once posed barriers, human activities, such as land modification and accidental transport, have facilitated their spread. Their adaptability to various habitats and their tolerance for a range of environmental conditions have also aided their colonization of new areas.
Environmental Impact of Armadillos
Armadillos exert a noticeable influence on Georgia’s natural environment primarily through their extensive digging and foraging behaviors. Their powerful claws allow them to dig burrows that can be 8 to 12 inches wide and extend up to 15 feet long, providing shelter. This burrowing activity impacts soil structure, leading to aeration and nutrient cycling, which can benefit plant growth. However, their digging can also disrupt plant roots and alter small animal habitats.
Their diet consists mainly of insects and invertebrates, including beetles, ants, termites, and grubs, which they locate using their keen sense of smell. By consuming these organisms, armadillos can help control local insect populations. While their diet is predominantly insectivorous, they are omnivores and will also consume fruits, eggs, and small vertebrates like frogs and lizards. This foraging behavior can affect ground-nesting birds or other native species if armadillos consume their eggs or disturb their nesting sites. Their burrows can also serve as shelters for other small creatures, creating microhabitats and providing refuge for a diverse array of wildlife.
Coexisting with Armadillos
Living alongside armadillos in Georgia often involves addressing their potential for property damage and understanding any associated health concerns. Their relentless digging in search of food can lead to issues, such as shallow holes in lawns, golf courses, gardens, and flower beds. More extensive burrowing can undermine foundations, crack driveways, and damage irrigation systems, posing structural risks to homes and other structures. Farmers may also experience issues with livestock injury due to hidden holes created by armadillo burrows.
Regarding health, armadillos are known to carry diseases transmissible to humans, most notably the bacteria that causes leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae). Reports of human transmission from wild armadillos are rare. Armadillos can also carry parasitic worms and, rarely, rabies, but the risk of transmission to humans or pets is considered extremely low. They are generally shy and not aggressive.
To deter armadillos or manage their presence, several strategies can be employed. Habitat modification can involve making areas less appealing by reducing their food sources, such as grubs. Exclusion techniques, such as installing fencing at least two feet high and 18 inches deep around vulnerable areas, can be effective, as armadillos often follow barriers. Trapping is another option, though armadillos can be tricky to catch since they do not readily respond to bait; professional wildlife control services often use specialized, humane traps placed near active burrows and can provide recommendations. In Georgia, armadillos are not protected and can be hunted or trapped year-round without limit, but checking local ordinances is advisable.