Armadillos are mammals known for their bony, armor-like shells. The term “armadillo” translates to “little armored one” in Spanish, aptly describing their protective plates. While about 20 armadillo species exist globally, only the nine-banded armadillo is commonly found in the United States. These adaptable animals, measuring about 2.5 feet long and weighing around 12 pounds, are present across various parts of the country.
Geographic Range in the US
The nine-banded armadillo has expanded its territory within the United States over the last 150 years. Historically, their stronghold was in the southwestern states, particularly Texas, where they were first recorded in 1849. From this base, their population became well-established across states like Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida by the mid-1990s.
Their range has extended northward and eastward, now covering Missouri and reaching into southern Iowa. Armadillos have also expanded into Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In the southeastern U.S., they are found throughout South Carolina and Georgia, and have established populations in western North Carolina. Sightings have been reported as far north as southern Nebraska and southern Indiana.
Factors Influencing Their Spread
Armadillos originated in South America, with ancestors migrating into North America about 3 million years ago via the Panamanian land bridge. For thousands of years, armadillos were not in the United States until the nine-banded armadillo crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico in the late 19th century. This colonization was influenced by factors like reduced hunting pressure and a decrease in large predators due to human activity.
Expansion was also aided by human-assisted transport, such as accidental releases from circuses or zoos; the Florida population resulted from animals released in the 1920s and 1930s. Their adaptability to various habitats has also played a role in their spread. Milder winters due to climate change have allowed armadillos to survive in more northern latitudes, as they have little body fat and are not well-suited for prolonged cold temperatures.
Preferred Environments
Armadillos favor warm, wet climates and inhabit forested areas, grasslands, and scrub-brush regions. They seek areas with loose, sandy soils, ideal for their burrowing activities. These burrows, up to 24 feet long, provide shelter and resting places, with individuals having multiple burrows within their home range.
Proximity to water sources, such as streams and creeks, is also important. Their diet consists of insects and other invertebrates, including beetles, grubs, ants, and termites, which they locate using their keen sense of smell. While insects form the bulk of their diet, they are opportunistic feeders and may consume small reptiles, amphibians, eggs, and some plant material like fruits and seeds, especially when insects are scarce.