The Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a burrowing mammal recognizable by its bony, plated armor. These creatures often leave behind clear evidence of their presence in residential and natural areas. Identifying the waste material, known as scat or droppings, is a reliable way to confirm the animal’s activity and determine subsequent steps.
Visual Characteristics of Armadillo Scat
Armadillo scat is typically found in the form of small, cylindrical pellets that resemble miniature cigars. These droppings are generally compact and uniform, often measuring about one to one-and-a-half inches in length and roughly half an inch in diameter. Fresh scat is usually dark brown or black, but the color quickly fades to a lighter tan or grayish-white as it dries and ages.
The consistency of the droppings is a distinguishing feature, often described as dry and firm, almost like hardened clay. This texture is primarily due to the armadillo’s diet, which contains a high proportion of hard-to-digest insect exoskeletons. When fresh, the scat may be slightly moist, but it rapidly becomes crumbly and chalky once exposed to air.
A closer inspection of the scat can reveal undigested components, which is a definitive identifier. Armadillos primarily consume insects, grubs, and invertebrates, so their droppings frequently contain visible fragments of chitin. Chitin is the substance that forms the hard shells of beetles and ants. These tiny, shiny remnants of insect parts distinguish armadillo scat from the droppings of other common backyard mammals.
Due to the animal’s digestive process, the pellets may also exhibit a segmented or slightly tapered appearance at one or both ends. The amount of plant material consumed can sometimes affect the texture, making it softer. However, the presence of insect fragments remains the most consistent visual clue.
Typical Placement and Dietary Influence
Armadillos are opportunistic in their habits, meaning their droppings are not typically confined to a single, established latrine area. Instead, you are most likely to find their scat scattered along foraging pathways or near the entrances of their burrows. These burrows are often located under dense vegetation, brush piles, or near structural foundations where the animal seeks shelter.
The location of the scat is directly linked to the armadillo’s primary activity: digging for food. They use their strong claws and keen sense of smell to root through soil and mulch in search of insects. This activity results in shallow, conical holes across a lawn or garden. Droppings are frequently deposited near these freshly dug-up areas, such as flowerbeds or soft, irrigated turf.
The animal’s diet consists mainly of soil-dwelling invertebrates, including beetle larvae, earthworms, ants, and termites. This heavy reliance on insects explains the firm, dry texture and the presence of chitin fragments observed in the scat. If armadillos consume a greater amount of plant material or fruit, which they occasionally eat, the scat will be noticeably softer and less uniform.
Safety Precautions and Disease Risk
Upon identifying armadillo scat or signs of their activity, exercising caution is important due to potential health hazards. The Nine-banded armadillo is the only animal in the United States, aside from humans, known to naturally carry the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. This pathogen is the cause of Hansen’s disease, commonly known as leprosy.
While the overall risk of human transmission is considered extremely low, especially from contact with scat, some domestically acquired cases have been genetically linked to the strain found in wild armadillos. The transmission risk is highest with direct handling of the animal or its tissues. As a general safety measure, contact with armadillos or their waste should be avoided.
When cleaning up scat or repairing damage to your yard, you should always wear heavy-duty gloves to prevent skin contact. After cleanup, hands and tools should be thoroughly washed with soap and hot water to ensure proper sanitation. The waste material itself should be disposed of in sealed bags to prevent any further exposure.
To discourage armadillos from establishing a presence on your property, you can reduce the availability of their food source. Applying nematode treatments can help control the population of grubs and insects in the soil, making the area less attractive for foraging. Additionally, removing potential hiding spots like woodpiles, dense brush, and low-lying ground cover will make the environment less appealing for them to nest.