Armadillos, with their distinctive armored shells, are unique mammals found primarily in the Americas. These fascinating creatures are often recognized by their bony plates and their characteristic habit of digging. While their appearance sets them apart, their impressive burrowing capabilities define a significant aspect of their existence. This article will delve into the relationship armadillos have with digging, exploring why and how they construct their homes.
Yes, They Are Master Diggers
Armadillos are prolific excavators, with digging central to their daily lives. Their remarkable ability to move earth makes them skilled burrowers. This digging prowess is not merely a pastime but a fundamental aspect of their survival.
A single armadillo can construct multiple burrows within its territory, with some sources indicating an average of around 11 burrows per individual. This extensive network of underground tunnels underscores the importance of digging for these creatures, allowing them to thrive in various environments.
Why Armadillos Burrow
Armadillos burrow for survival and reproduction. These subterranean structures provide refuge from predators such as mountain lions, bears, and alligators. Burrows also act as shelters from extreme weather conditions, protecting armadillos from both scorching summer heat and bitter winter cold. During summer, they may spend about 29% of their day underground, emerging at night, while in winter, this can increase to around 65% of their time spent in burrows.
Beyond protection, burrowing is fundamental to their foraging strategy. Armadillos primarily consume insects, grubs, and other invertebrates found beneath the soil surface. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect prey up to 8 inches deep, leading them to dig numerous shallow holes to access these food sources. Digging also serves a reproductive purpose, as females create secure chambers within burrows to give birth and raise their young. Young armadillos typically remain in the burrow for two to three weeks before venturing out to establish their own territories.
The Mechanics of Digging
Armadillos are well-adapted for their digging lifestyle, possessing physical traits that enable their excavation. Their strong forelimbs are equipped with long, sharp claws, designed for breaking through soil. The nine-banded armadillo, for instance, has four toes on its front feet and five on its hind feet, all featuring robust claws. When digging, they use their nose and forefeet to efficiently pull back soil.
Their unique skeletal structure also contributes to their digging efficiency. The armor-like shell, made of bony plates covered by epidermal scales, provides protection while maintaining flexibility, which is conducive to moving through tight spaces underground. This combination of powerful limbs, sharp claws, and a flexible body allows armadillos to dig rapidly, sometimes creating a new hiding spot in as little as 5 to 15 minutes when threatened.
Varieties of Burrows
Armadillos construct different types of burrows, each serving a distinct function. Shallow foraging holes are common, typically 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, created as they search for insects and grubs. These temporary pits are often scattered across yards and gardens, indicating recent feeding activity.
In addition to foraging pits, armadillos create more substantial burrows for shelter and nesting. These deeper burrows can extend anywhere from 4 to 24 feet in length and up to 5 feet deep. The entrance to these burrows is typically 7 to 10 inches in diameter. While one burrow may serve as a primary den, an individual armadillo often maintains multiple burrows throughout its territory, providing easy escape routes or alternative shelters. These permanent burrows can include multiple chambers and tunnels, and are often located under brush piles, around stumps, or near dense vegetation.