
#Armadillo florida professional
If Armadillos are an issue, it’s best to have them removed humanely by a professional wildlife control company. They can also carry tapeworms and salmonella in their feces. Additionally, armadillos have been known to be carriers of mycobacterium leprae, which causes leprosy. They are capable of destabilizing tree root systems and building foundations with their tunnels. Armadillos are powerful diggers and will burrow under plants in landscape, foundations, and driveways. In their quest for shelter and insects, armadillos destroy lawns and gardens in the process and are considered destructive animals. Introductions of armadillos also occurred along the east coast of. Their abandoned burrows are utilized by other animals, such as pine snakes, rabbits, opossums, striped skunks, burrowing owls, and snakes. This native mammal of southwestern North America has expanded its range into Florida. They do not hibernate and can not tolerate high temperatures above 85 degrees F. Armadillos construct their own burrows or use the burrow of another armadillo, tortoise, or naturally occurring holes. Armadillos are omnivores and prefer to construct their underground burrows in forests where they forage in forest litter for plants and small invertebrates. In the wild, armadillos prefer warm, wet climates and can be found in forest and scrub-brush areas in tropical and temperate regions. Their expansion will likely be limited because they do not fare well in cold or dry areas. Distribution: Since their arrival into the United States, nine-banded armadillos have expanded their range north and east at an average rate of 7 km/year. Found throughout the southeastern United States, these digging and burrowing mammals are a nuisance to homeowners as they destroy landscape in their pursuit of food and shelter. Nine-banded armadillos first appeared in Florida in the 1920s when they were introduced by humans. When startled or scared, these armadillos can jump 4 to 5 feet high in the air.

A Nine-banded Armadillo in the Green Swamp, central Florida. Armadillo means “little armored one” in Spanish and refers to the presence of bony, armor-like plates covering their body. The armadillo roams through warm climates including rain forests, grasslands, and semi-arid. Approximately 20 species of armadillo exist, but the nine-banded armadillo is the only one found in the United States.
