The Nine-banded Armadillo is a unique mammal known for its bony, plate-like armor and its tendency to root around in lawns and gardens. These animals have expanded their range significantly across the United States. Their digging behavior, done in search of food, often causes concern and leads people to wonder about their diet, particularly whether it includes the eggs found in ground nests. Understanding their natural foraging habits explains why they may occasionally disturb protected areas.
Armadillo Diet: Primary Food Sources
Armadillos are primarily insectivores, focusing overwhelmingly on invertebrates found in the soil and leaf litter. Their meals largely consist of adult and larval beetles, grubs, ants, termites, and earthworms. They use a keen sense of smell to detect prey through up to eight inches of soil.
Their long claws are adapted for digging shallow, cone-shaped holes while foraging. Once uncovered, the armadillo uses its long, sticky tongue to lap up the invertebrates. This constant search for ground-dwelling insects is why armadillos frequently enter human-managed landscapes, as maintained lawns offer a rich food supply.
The Role of Eggs and Small Vertebrates in Their Diet
Although invertebrates are their staple, armadillos are omnivores and will consume eggs opportunistically. They eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds and reptiles if they stumble upon them while rooting for insects. This consumption is secondary to their main diet and usually occurs when other food sources are less abundant.
Their secondary diet also includes small, slow-moving vertebrates, such as amphibians and reptiles. They occasionally consume fungi, fruits, tubers, and seeds, though plant matter makes up less than ten percent of their overall diet. Armadillos may also scavenge carrion.
Understanding Armadillo Foraging and Habitat
Armadillos are largely solitary and nocturnal, typically emerging to search for food around dusk. Their poor eyesight is compensated by a highly developed sense of smell, which they rely on to locate invertebrate prey underground. This reliance drives their characteristic foraging behavior of rooting and digging numerous, shallow holes.
A single armadillo maintains an average of ten burrows within its home range for shelter and rest during the day. These burrows can be extensive, reaching up to 20 feet long and seven feet deep, often located under dense cover, brush piles, or structures. Armadillos prefer habitats with sandy or loam soils that are easy to excavate, and they are drawn to moist areas where insect populations thrive.
Deterring Armadillos from Protected Areas
Armadillos are primarily motivated by food availability, so one effective deterrence strategy is reducing the population of grubs and insects in the lawn. Using beneficial nematodes or other natural pest controls eliminates their primary food source, making the area less appealing. Armadillos will often move on if they cannot find enough food to sustain themselves. Physical exclusion is another effective long-term method to protect specific areas like gardens or foundations.
Physical Exclusion and Habitat Modification
Fencing should be at least two feet high and buried a minimum of 12 inches deep, angled outward to prevent digging underneath. Removing potential hiding spots, such as dense yard clutter, wood piles, and overgrown shrubs, also makes the property less inviting for burrow construction.
Repellents and Startle Tactics
Repellents relying on strong odors, such as castor oil or garlic-based sprays, are often suggested due to the armadillo’s sensitive nose. However, the effectiveness of these products can be inconsistent and requires frequent reapplication, especially after rain. Motion-activated sprinklers can also startle the nocturnal animals with a sudden burst of water, discouraging them from returning to forage.