Armadillos are present in Florida and have become a common sight across the state. The species found here is the Nine-banded Armadillo, scientifically known as Dasypus novemcinctus. Its presence in Florida is a result of a rapid range expansion and human-facilitated introductions.
Historical Arrival and Spread
The Nine-banded Armadillo is not native to Florida, having originated in South America. Its natural range expanded northward into Central America and Mexico before crossing the Rio Grande into Texas in the mid-1800s. From this entry point, the population began a steady expansion eastward across the Gulf Coast states.
The establishment of the armadillo in Florida was accelerated by human actions separate from the natural expansion. Initial populations were traced back to animals escaping a small zoo near Cocoa Beach in 1924, and others escaped from a traveling circus in 1936. These localized populations on the Atlantic coast spread inland and merged with the western population that migrated across the Florida Panhandle. By the 1950s, the species was firmly established throughout the state.
Current Distribution in Florida
Armadillos are now found in uplands across Florida, having successfully colonized most of the peninsula. Their population is particularly dense in the northern and central regions, but they are expanding their range southward. They are not commonly found in the Florida Keys or certain parts of the deep Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp.
The armadillo’s preferred habitat consists of areas with dense, shady cover, such as wooded areas and brushlands. They are restricted by soil type, requiring loose, sandy, or loam soils that are easy to excavate for burrowing and foraging. This preference for soft ground makes much of Florida’s sandy terrain an ideal environment.
Identification and Basic Habits
The Nine-banded Armadillo is easily identified by its distinctive, gray-brown carapace, which is composed of bony plates called scutes. The “nine-banded” name refers to the flexible bands of armor across its midsection, which allow for movement. An adult typically measures between 15 and 17 inches long, excluding the tail, and weighs between 8 and 17 pounds.
These animals are primarily solitary and nocturnal, becoming most active from dusk until dawn. They are prolific diggers, using their large, sharp claws to root through the soil for food. Their diet consists mainly of insects, grubs, worms, and other small invertebrates they detect with their excellent sense of smell. They create deep burrows for shelter, which can be up to seven feet deep and twenty feet long, often with multiple entrances hidden under dense vegetation or concrete structures.
Managing Encounters and Property Damage
The armadillo’s habit of constant digging leads to the most common issue for Florida homeowners: property damage. Their search for food leaves behind numerous shallow, cone-shaped holes, typically three to five inches wide, across lawns and gardens. More seriously, their larger burrows can undermine the foundations of homes, sidewalks, driveways, and utility lines, potentially causing structural instability.
Management strategies focus on making the property less attractive. Controlling the grub and beetle population reduces their food supply and deters foraging. Improving yard drainage and adjusting irrigation to keep the ground drier may also discourage their presence, as they prefer moist soil that is easy to dig.
Physical barriers are effective for protecting specific areas, such as gardens or under decks. Exclusion fencing should be at least two to three feet tall and buried 12 to 18 inches deep, angled outward to prevent digging underneath. Armadillos can carry Mycobacterium leprae, which causes Hansen’s disease (leprosy). Although the risk of human infection is low, gardeners should wear gloves and wash their hands after working in the soil to minimize potential exposure.