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Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) wildlife photograph

Field guide · common

Armadillo

The armoured digger, a bony-plated mammal that snuffles through leaf litter and always has identical quadruplets.

Least Concern

Dasypus novemcinctus

Overview

The nine-banded armadillo is a living fossil waddling through the American South: a small mammal encased in bony plates, with a pig-like snout for rooting insects and a habit of jumping straight up when startled, which causes many road fatalities.

Armadillos are champion diggers, excavating burrows in minutes and tearing open termite mounds and wasp nests with powerful claws. They have expanded northward steadily and are the only armadillo species found in the US.

Habitat

  • Grassland
  • Scrub
  • Woodland edge

Grassland, scrub, woodland, and suburban edges across the southern and central United States suit nine-banded armadillos. They need soft soil for digging and are common in Texas, Florida, and states as far north as Missouri.

Countries found

Field notes

Field scale for the Armadillo: length around 40-60 cm body; tail 25-45 cm; weight 3-6 kg. Typical lifespan: Around 7-20 years in the wild.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise grassland, scrub, and woodland edge. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Small mammal enclosed in bony armour bands across the back and sides, with a pig-like snout and long claws. Nine movable bands typically show mid-body; grey-brown overall. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Diet

Nine-banded armadillos dig for insects, larvae, ants, and termites, also taking small invertebrates and occasional plant matter. Long sticky tongue helps extract prey from soil and nests.

Behaviour

Mostly nocturnal solitary foragers that excavate burrows for shelter. When startled they may jump vertically; they can walk underwater while holding their breath for several minutes.

How to identify

Small mammal enclosed in bony armour bands across the back and sides, with a pig-like snout and long claws. Nine movable bands typically show mid-body; grey-brown overall.

Interesting facts

  1. 01

    Nine-banded armadillos always give birth to identical quadruplets.

  2. 02

    Their armour is made of bony plates covered in keratin scales.

  3. 03

    They can hold their breath for up to six minutes while crossing water.

Conservation status

LC: Least Concern

Nine-banded armadillos are Least Concern and expanding their range northward. They are often killed on roads but reproduce quickly enough that populations remain stable.

Sources: IUCN Red List

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