![]() ![]() Unfortunately, this move has no effect on a big Cadillac grill or the underside of an 18-wheeler. When startled, the 9-banded armadillo will spring 3 to 4 feet straight up into the air to confuse a possible predator giving the armadillo time to escape. In fact, in Alabama and along the Florida panhandle armadillos are known as “hillbilly speed bumps.” Part of the explanation for the armadillo’s poor road record is its primary defensive go-to move. The rural two-lane state highway appears to be a greater challenge. Armadillos can cross rivers and streams by inflating their stomach and intestines and floating across, or by sinking to the bottom and walking across while holding their breath for up to six minutes. Brave and determined, the armadillo isn’t known as the Einstein of the animal kingdom. What is known is that the armadillo has a new unnatural predator which is the four-wheeled, head-lighted, chrome-girded motor vehicle ( Ford trucus americanus). Lastly, their range may be expanding due to loss of natural predators which include panthers, coyotes, lynx, wolves, pumas, bears and even large hawks. Other theories are that the migration is facilitated by farming and over-tilling of the earth providing more foraging and burrowing opportunities. When available, the armadillo will also nosh on fruits, berries, vegetables, lizards, small frogs, snakes or bird eggs. The armadillo is primarily and insectivore with 90% of its diet being earthworms, ants, spiders and maggots and pupae in carrion. Some believe the armadillos are simply following their favorite treat, fire ants, who are also moving north. We all know they are saying that just to fire up the red-states. Many environmental scientists argue that the armadillo migration is being triggered by climate change. However, they are following an invasion path forged by another South American mammal that no one believed could thrive in the cold, the Virginia opossum. No one knows for sure why the armadillos are on a northward march. ![]() Concerned citizens are asking if Trump’s wall will be able to keep out these little helmeted and armored Hispanic conquistadors. Louis, Missouri, Omaha, Nebraska, Springfield, Illinois, Indianapolis and Kansas City who appear to be blowing their gaskets. Tell that to the suburbanites of Little Rock, Arkansas, St. ![]() However, the armadillo doesn’t hibernate and doesn’t have the capability to store body fat, so it was assumed that cold winters would be a barrier to any further northern migration. It was a little surprising when they showed up in Tennessee, Georgia and South Carolina. Originally they ranged from southeast New Mexico and Texas (official state animal of Texas by the way) and east through south-central Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Only one, the nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus) is native to North America. They range from the tiny six inch long Pink Fairy armadillo ( Chlamyphorus truncatus) to the Giant armadillo ( Priodontes maximus) than can reach 60 inches in height and weigh up to 120 lbs. There are more than twenty species of armadillo (Spanish for “little armored one”) and almost all are native to Mexico, Central and South America. Checking out this mystery on Google I found dozens of stories about the armadillo invasion many by truly freaked out Missourians. On my travels in May alone, I swear, the roadkill count must’ve been at least two hundred. I’ve lived in the South almost my entire life and I know I’ve seen an armadillo before, either dead or alive. However, the most interesting question I found was where did all the dead armadillos come from along the highway. Medical meetings are a great source of ideas for my medical blog. In May I drove to medical meetings in San Destin, Florida, Greenville, SC, and Kiawah Island. ![]()
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