Armadillos, armored mammals, are often presumed to be silent creatures due to their nocturnal habits and solitary nature. While they do not possess a complex vocal repertoire comparable to many other mammals, they do produce a distinct, though limited, range of sounds. They utilize a variety of auditory signals to interact with their environment. The sounds an armadillo makes are usually subtle and closely tied to specific behaviors.
The Specific Vocalizations of the Armadillo
Armadillos possess a vocal range that includes several distinct noises. Among the most commonly noted sounds are various types of low-frequency grunts and snorts, often described as “pig-like” or “wheezy,” produced by the movement of air during breathing. They also produce a purr-like vibration, which has been observed in several armadillo species and can progress into a more intense grunt or a sharp scream. When severely frightened or in a defensive posture, armadillos emit a high-pitched squeal or a harsh, loud, broadband cry. Acoustic analyses of these vocalizations reveal they are characterized by both inhaled and exhaled phases and lack a harmonic structure, suggesting they are simple vocal bursts rather than complex tonal calls.
Context and Function of Armadillo Sounds
Low grunting sounds are most frequently heard when the animal is actively foraging or rooting in the soil. These grunts are often a byproduct of the animal’s continuous digging and searching for food, indicating a state of focused activity.
High-amplitude vocalizations, such as the loud squeal or scream, are almost exclusively classified as distress calls. These are emitted when an armadillo is startled, captured, or facing an imminent threat, serving as a desperate attempt to deter a predator or signal a high level of alarm. This acoustic signal is often paired with defensive behaviors like bowing the body or attempting to move away from the source of disturbance.
Softer vocalizations play a part in the limited social structure of the armadillo, particularly between a mother and her young. Mothers may produce low grunting sounds to call to their offspring, while nursing juveniles have been observed making a weak purring or buzzing noise. Many of the noises associated with armadillos, however, are non-vocal sounds, such as the scraping and heavy breathing noises generated by their powerful digging claws as they move through the earth.
Communication Beyond Sound
While armadillos do vocalize, their primary sensory world and method of communication rely heavily on senses other than hearing. These mammals possess a remarkably keen sense of smell, which compensates for their very poor eyesight. The great development of their nasal structures, olfactory bulbs, and related brain regions highlights the importance of olfaction in their daily lives.
This acute sense of smell is used for navigation, identifying mates or rivals, and most importantly, for locating food. An armadillo can detect and pinpoint the scent of insects and grubs buried up to six inches beneath the soil surface. When sensing danger, the animal will often stand on its hind legs to sniff the air, using chemical cues to identify a threat long before it can be seen.
Tactile communication and the perception of vibrations also play a significant role in their sensory input. As fossorial animals, armadillos spend a great deal of time burrowing, and the movement of soil and the subtle vibrations in the ground provide them with information about their surroundings. Their small eyes, positioned on the sides of their head, offer a wide field of vision but lack the depth perception needed for detailed visual assessment, making chemical and tactile cues far more reliable for survival and social interaction.