Armadillos are small mammals that live in the Americas, primarily throughout South America.
However, they reside further north than their natural habitat.
Armadillos live as far north as Louisiana, Georgia, and Florida in the U.S.
They are an invasive species and are problematic animals according to many people due to their burrowing habits.
Alongside that, the noise they make while rooting in search of food is intolerable.
Their leathery, armor-like shell covering their backs is what makes an armadillo distinguishable from other animals.
This shell protects them from predators like coyotes, jaguars, and sometimes even alligators.
Armadillos dig extensive burrows and will take over abandoned armadillo burrows in search of shelter.
Their diet consists primarily of insects, but they also eat small reptiles, amphibians, and other invertebrates.
This is why armadillos are sometimes pests in residential areas.
It is difficult to find out exactly where armadillos live.
Armadillos prefer living in wooded areas near a source of water.
Although they are not social animals, armadillos will sometimes form groups in their burrows to share warmth during cold weather.
Armadillos are nocturnal creatures and prefer to remain underground during the day, only coming out at night to feed.
Armadillo Distribution
The nine-banded armadillo is the only species of armadillo that is found in North America.
Armadillos live throughout Central and South America, as well as some Caribbean Islands.
In the United States, nine-banded armadillos reside in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia since these regions offer a habitat similar to their natural environment.
Armadillo Habitat
Armadillos prefer living in wooded areas near a source of water such as marshes or streams, but they will also live in open plains if the climate is not too dry.
The nine-banded armadillo prefers to live in forests, grasslands, and transitional areas, but it can also be found in open savannah-type habitats.
This species is mostly nocturnal and burrows during the daytime by digging at the base of trees or other raised objects.
While armadillos are not social animals, they may form groups in their burrows to share warmth during cold weather and/or food resources.
Armadillos also prefer areas where the soil is easy to dig in and live close to a water source since they need ample access to water and moist ground in order to survive.
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