Armadillos in Brownsville

 

 

Lynn Bledsoe

Gimlet Managing Editor

 

Did you see a armadillo? Armadillos are becoming more and more a part of the wildlife in the area. So what do we need to know about them?

The armadillos in the area are not the ones that roll into a ball when scared. The nine banded armadillo can jump 4 feet high when scared. They have very long claws for digging and can carry leprosy, so if you see one, keep your distance.

Armadillos have their babies in the spring. They have four identical quadruplets. The babies are either all male or all female, as they develop from one single egg.

Armadillos began moving into Kentucky during the 1980’s. They are becoming more common throughout the state.

They have very poor eyesight.  They use their sensitive nose to find bugs , worms, beetles, grubs and other insects as their main source of food,  but do occasionally eat eggs. Be sure to check those chicken coops. They then use their long claws to dig out insects, which can leave damage to the underside of buildings.

There are no restrictions on the disposal of armadillos, meaning no hunting season, but if your yard is full of grub worms you may want to let them be.