Armadillos

General Info

Armadillos General Info:
Size: 5 to 59 inches (13 to 150 cm)

Weight: 3 oz to 120 lbs (85g to 54kg)

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An armadillo’s body is completely covered with bony plates. Their bony armor consists of nine movable rings between the shoulder and hip shield. They are the only mammals that have the bony like shell. Having a close relation to anteaters, the armadillo has a similar pointy snout with small eyes. Their color can vary between pink, brown, black, red, or even a yellowish color.

Habitat

The Armadillo population covers about 85 % of Texas. The can reside in any dense shady cover such as brush, woodlands, forests, and areas adjacent to creeks and rivers. Soil texture is also a key factor in the animal’s habitat selection. The armadillo will also inhabit areas having cracks, crevices, and rocks that are suitable for burrows.

Damage

Most armadillo damage occurs as a result of their rooting in lawns, golf courses, vegetable gardens, and flowerbeds. Key signs of armadillo activity are shallow holes, 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, which are dug in search of food. They are also known to burrow under foundations, driveways, and other structures. Besides insects, they also eat small vertebrates, plants, and some fruit, which can be a nuisance to gardeners. Controlling this nuisance animal can save homeowners money by protecting expensive plantings and gardens.

Disease

Disease is a factor associated with this species. Armadillos can be infected by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy. The role that armadillos have in human infection, however, has not yet been determined.

Control

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Metro Guard offers a humane seven-day trapping program proven effective to catch and relocate a wild armadillo. We have animal control experts serving your area that are armadillo trapping experts. Don’t wait for damage to occur. Contact Metro Guard. Once scheduled, your wildlife specialist will come out and inspect for signs of activity. If there are signs of armadillo activity, he will track the armadillo’s path and set humane “catch” traps along fences or other areas the armadillo may travel. Armadillos have the ability to climb and burrow. There are no repellents or toxicants proven effective towards armadillos.

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