Armadillos are present in Nebraska. These unique, armored mammals have increasingly become part of the state’s wildlife, representing a recent northward expansion of their range. The species found here is the Nine-banded Armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, which is the only armadillo species established in the United States. Their arrival in Nebraska marks the current northern boundary of their natural distribution, resulting from decades of slow but steady migration.
The History of Armadillo Expansion into Nebraska
The northward journey of the Nine-banded Armadillo began in the mid-19th century, starting from their traditional range in Texas and Mexico. Historically, cold temperatures limited the species, but a warming climate has reduced the severity of northern winters, allowing them to survive in new territories. They established populations in states like Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas before reaching Nebraska. The first documented sighting in Nebraska occurred in 1972 near the Kansas border, but confirmed records have risen noticeably since the early 2000s.
These animals are capable of long-distance movement, often utilizing river systems as natural corridors for migration. Armadillos can cross water bodies by holding their breath and walking along the bottom, or by floating across after inflating their intestines with air. This ability to navigate water barriers has been a factor in their successful spread into the central United States. Their increasing presence in Nebraska is viewed as the steady advancement of a population establishing its northern limit.
Current Distribution and Preferred Habitats
Armadillos are primarily concentrated in Nebraska’s southern and southeastern counties, bordering established populations in Kansas and Missouri. These areas provide the most favorable climate and habitat conditions. Reports indicate they are entering the state along major watercourses, such as the Republican River and its tributaries, using these riparian areas as migration routes.
They seek environments that support their burrowing and foraging behaviors, preferring bottomland hardwood forests, dense brush, and areas adjacent to creeks and rivers. Soil type is a significant factor, as armadillos require loose, porous earth, such as sandy or loamy soils, which are easy to dig into for shelter and food. In eastern Nebraska, the moister climate and extensive irrigation may allow them to spread beyond strictly riverine habitats.
The armadillo’s ability to tolerate cold remains the primary factor limiting their spread further north and west. They possess little insulating body fat and cannot hibernate, making them vulnerable to sustained freezing temperatures. Their current distribution reflects a balance between suitable habitat availability and regional climatic constraints.
Identifying the Nine-Banded Armadillo
The Nine-banded Armadillo is easily recognizable by its bony, armor-like shell, or carapace. This shell is composed of small, overlapping plates called scutes. The midsection is segmented by a flexible band region, typically featuring between seven and eleven movable bands, though the species name refers to the most common number.
These mammals are about the size of a large house cat, with a head-and-body length of 15 to 17 inches and a long tail. They possess a small, pointed snout and strong, sharp claws adapted for digging. The armadillo is mostly nocturnal, foraging at night for a diet consisting primarily of invertebrates like insects, grubs, and worms. They are prolific diggers, creating multiple burrows up to 24 feet long for shelter and escape.