Armadillos, once primarily found in the deeper South, are now increasingly present in North Carolina. Their arrival reflects a gradual expansion of their natural range. Understanding these armored mammals’ habits and impact can foster informed coexistence.
Armadillo Presence and Expansion in North Carolina
The nine-banded armadillo, the sole species found in the United States, originated in South America and has expanded its territory northward through Central America. They reached Texas by 1849 and crossed the Mississippi River by the early 1940s. Armadillos reached North Carolina in the late 2000s, through natural dispersal from adjacent states.
The first confirmed sighting in North Carolina occurred in Macon County in 2007. Since then, reports have increased significantly, with nearly 900 observations recorded across 70 counties between 2007 and 2022. Armadillo populations are more concentrated in western North Carolina, including counties such as Macon, Jackson, Clay, Buncombe, Swain, and Transylvania, and extend into the southwestern Piedmont region. Armadillos have also been reported in more populated areas like Wake County.
Several factors contribute to their continued spread. Armadillos lack significant fur or body fat, making them susceptible to freezing temperatures. As North Carolina experiences milder winters, the state becomes more suitable for their survival and expansion. Their preference for warm, moist climates and soft, sandy soils for burrowing and foraging also influences their distribution. This northward and eastward movement is driven by environmental conditions.
Characteristics and Behaviors of Armadillos
The nine-banded armadillo is easily recognizable by its unique protective shell, composed of bony plates covered by tough, keratinized skin. Despite its name, this species can have between seven and eleven movable bands across its midsection, allowing for flexibility. These animals measure around 2.5 feet from nose to tail tip and weigh approximately 12 pounds. They possess short legs, a pointed snout, and strong, sharp claws that are well-suited for digging. Armadillos have poor eyesight, relying instead on a keen sense of smell to locate food.
Armadillos are primarily insectivores, eating insects, grubs, and other invertebrates like beetles, ants, termites, and earthworms. They use their sensitive noses to detect prey up to eight inches underground, then use their long, sticky tongues to capture them. They may also consume small reptiles, amphibians, bird eggs, fruits, and carrion.
These animals are largely nocturnal, emerging around dusk to forage. During daylight hours, they remain in their burrows, which provide shelter from predators and temperature extremes. While active all year, they may be seen during the day in cooler months when temperatures are more favorable for foraging.
Armadillos are proficient burrowers, creating extensive underground networks for shelter and raising their young. Their foraging activities result in shallow holes, one to three inches deep and three to five inches wide, seen in lawns and gardens. Their main burrows can extend anywhere from four to twenty-four feet long and up to five feet deep, often featuring multiple entrances. They prefer to dig in loose or sandy soils.
Coexisting with Armadillos
The burrowing and foraging habits of armadillos can lead to concerns for homeowners. Their digging can damage lawns, gardens, and landscaping, creating unsightly holes and potentially uprooting plants. Significantly, their burrows can undermine the structural integrity of foundations, concrete slabs, driveways, and other structures if dug too close, leading to costly repairs.
Armadillos can carry Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria responsible for Hansen’s disease, known as leprosy. While this association exists, the risk of transmission to humans is very low and occurs only through prolonged, direct contact, such as handling or consuming infected meat. Approximately 95% of the human population has natural immunity to the bacteria. Public health recommendations emphasize avoiding direct contact with armadillos and wearing gloves when gardening to reduce potential exposure to pathogens in the soil.
If armadillos are causing issues on a property, several approaches can help manage their presence. Creating physical barriers, such as fences that extend at least twelve inches underground and are twelve inches tall, can deter them from entering specific areas like gardens. Removing potential food sources, such as insects and grubs, through lawn treatments can also make a property less appealing. Eliminating brush piles and other debris can reduce available shelter.
For ongoing problems, contacting the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) or a professional wildlife control service is recommended. The NCWRC encourages residents to report armadillo sightings to help track their expansion across the state. Professional services can employ humane trapping methods, though relocation of armadillos is illegal in North Carolina. In cases of property damage, hunting armadillos is permitted year-round without bag limits.