Armadillos are distinctive mammals, recognized by their unique, bony armor. Named “little armored one” in Spanish, they are generally shy and reclusive. Their presence sometimes leads to questions about their behavior, particularly regarding potential aggression.
Understanding Armadillo Biting Behavior
Armadillos are not aggressive animals and seek to avoid confrontation. Their primary defense mechanisms involve fleeing, digging rapidly into the ground, or rolling into a protective ball. While their instinct is to escape perceived threats, armadillos can bite if they feel cornered, are startled, or are handled. Their teeth are small and peg-like, primarily adapted for grinding insects. A bite, though capable of breaking the skin, is not severe.
A bite might occur if an armadillo is picked up, inadvertently stepped on, or if its burrow is disturbed. Despite their armored appearance, they naturally retreat rather than engage. Encountering an armadillo often results in quick escape, sometimes by jumping straight up to three feet in the air, a behavior that startles predators.
Beyond the Bite Other Health Concerns
Beyond biting, armadillos can pose other health considerations, most notably as carriers of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium responsible for leprosy (Hansen’s disease). The nine-banded armadillo is one of the few animals, besides humans, known to naturally carry it. Transmission to humans occurs through direct, prolonged contact, such as handling or consuming infected armadillos.
While the risk of contracting leprosy from an armadillo is low, it exists, especially in regions where human and armadillo populations are in close contact. Other potential pathogens armadillos may carry include Salmonella, transmitted via contaminated feces, and rarely, the rabies virus. They can also harbor parasites such as tapeworms or fungal infections like Histoplasmosis, transmitted via their feces or contaminated soil.
Living Safely with Armadillos
Coexisting safely with armadillos involves minimizing direct contact and making your property less appealing to them. It is advisable to observe armadillos from a distance and never attempt to approach, handle, or feed them, even if they appear injured or sick. If an injured armadillo is found, contact local animal control or a wildlife rehabilitator, as untrained individuals should not handle wild animals due to injury or disease transmission.
To deter armadillos from your yard, focus on removing their food sources, such as insects and grubs, and eliminating potential shelter. This can involve maintaining a tidy yard, picking up fallen fruit, and securing pet food. Physical barriers like fences, especially those buried a foot underground or angled outward, can prevent them from digging onto your property. While some repellents exist, their effectiveness can vary, environmental modifications are more reliable.