Armadillos are moving further and further northward and have started showing up in the mountains. I\u2019ve seen them walking through the woods while hiking here. Let\u2019s talk about armadillos, and the damage that they can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Georgia, we only have one species of armadillo. That\u2019s the nine-banded armadillo. In Central and South America, there are 20 species of armadillo, including the giant armadillo that can weigh up to 130 pounds. The ones that we have are about the size of an opossum and weigh 8 to 17 pounds. They are brownish colored with sparse hair. The unique thing about them is the \u2018shell\u2019 that covers them. This shell is made up of bony plates covered by a tough skin layer. The plates overlap giving the armadillo some freedom of movement. Armadillos don\u2019t like cold temperatures, which is why they have been slow to establish populations in the mountains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They will dig burrows or use burrows dug by other animals to sleep in. When it\u2019s hot outside, they will limit activity to nighttime. However, when it gets cold, they become more active during the day. They don\u2019t hibernate, because they aren\u2019t capable of storing body reserves of fat. Therefore, they must forage at least every few days. The burrows usually have an entrance that\u2019s about a foot wide and 4 feet long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They have poor eyesight, but rely on their sense of smell to find food. Their diet is made up of insects and plant litter. Sometimes, you can see parts of what they\u2019ve eaten in their droppings. Their droppings are round and about the same size as marbles. Most armadillo foraging is done by digging in the ground. When digging they are looking for grubs. They will eat fireants, and don\u2019t mind fireant bites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Armadillos can carry disease, but transmission of disease to humans is very rare. They can carry leprosy, but the only two reported cases of it transmitting to people was in Texas when some people ate some undercooked armadillo. In some cultures armadillo is considered a delicacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main issue with armadillos is the damage that they cause while foraging or digging burrows. They can tear up a yard looking for grubs. Typically the holes that they dig are a couple of inches deep so they can stick their snout in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Armadillos are not protected Georgia wildlife regulations. This means that they may be trapped or hunted year round with no limit. Shooting them is a practical way to get rid of them. Trapping and removal can be effective too. If you are going to trap them, a live trap that opens on both ends is most effective. Place boards at the opening of the trap to create wings that direct armadillos into the trap. Armadillos can be difficult to trap. And there are no baits that have been shown to improve trapping results. This means that when you\u2019re trapping you just have to hope that the armadillo stumbles into the trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n