The Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) has successfully established itself in Indiana. This unique, armored mammal is an unexpected newcomer, having expanded its range significantly northward over the past century. Once confined to the Deep South and Southwest, its appearance marks a notable shift in the state’s fauna. State agencies and university researchers are currently tracking the armadillo’s presence to better understand its establishment in the northern limits of its range.
Documenting the Nine-Banded Armadillo in Indiana
The definitive evidence of the nine-banded armadillo’s presence in Indiana began to emerge in the early 2000s, marking its arrival as a newly established species. The first confirmed sighting occurred in 2003 in the southwestern part of the state, specifically in Gibson County near the Illinois state line. This initial observation was a roadkill specimen found on I-64, which provided physical proof of the species’ movement.
Since that time, observations of both live and deceased armadillos have increased and spread across the southern half of Indiana. By the mid-2010s, confirmed sightings had been recorded in over a dozen counties, demonstrating a clear pattern of range expansion. These reports indicate that the species is established year-round and is no longer just a transient visitor passing through the state.
State agencies and researchers track these reports to monitor the armadillo’s status, with sightings reaching as far north as Steuben County in the northeast corner of the state. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) compiles this data, often relying on citizen reports to map the species’ continued dispersal. The movement into Indiana is believed to be primarily from southeastern Illinois, as the Ohio River likely acts as a partial barrier preventing easy migration from Kentucky to the south.
Factors Driving Northern Migration
The nine-banded armadillo’s rapid expansion from its historical range in the Southern United States into Midwestern states like Indiana is largely attributed to environmental changes. Armadillos lack significant insulating body fat and do not hibernate, making them particularly vulnerable to extended periods of freezing temperatures. Their survival depends on access to unfrozen soil where they can forage for food.
Warmer winters, characterized by fewer prolonged hard freezes and an overall increase in average temperatures, have created more hospitable conditions for the species. Research suggests that armadillos cannot establish stable colonies if the average January temperature consistently falls below 28°F (-2°C). The changing climate has effectively shifted this thermal barrier northward, opening up new territory.
The armadillo’s migration path has historically moved from its entry point in Texas across the southern states, then pushing north and east. The species’ high reproductive rate contributes to its successful colonization of new areas. This capacity, combined with increasingly milder winters, allows them to survive and establish breeding populations where they previously could not.
Understanding Armadillo Behavior and Diet
The nine-banded armadillo is a solitary and primarily nocturnal animal, which means Indiana residents are more likely to see signs of its activity than the animal itself. They possess a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food up to eight inches beneath the soil surface. Their diet is mainly insectivorous, consisting of grubs, beetles, ants, termites, and other terrestrial invertebrates.
Their foraging behavior involves rooting around in the soil and leaf litter, which can sometimes result in small, shallow depressions in lawns and gardens. Armadillos are extensive burrowers, using strong front claws to dig burrows that can be up to 25 feet long and seven feet deep for shelter and nesting. A single armadillo may maintain multiple burrows within its home range.
A unique aspect of their biology is obligate polyembryony, where a female almost always gives birth to four genetically identical young of the same sex from a single fertilized egg. While generally harmless and non-aggressive, armadillos are the only other mammal besides humans that can naturally contract the bacteria that causes leprosy. Wildlife experts advise observing armadillos from a distance and avoiding direct contact to minimize potential health risks.