I looked out my front door, and there she was
@GardenGerty (157723)
United States
July 14, 2017 4:21pm CST
There she was, he was, it was. . . I am not sure. I do not know how to tell gender on an armadillo, and it was not telling.
It also was not scaring very easily, but I did not have a camera handy.
I am sure this is what tore up my container plantings.I have heard that they will eat anything that does not eat them first. I am glad Princess was inside.
The armadillo was rooting around with its snout in the bark chip mulch. I wonder if it was eating the snails that seem to live there.
An interesting and concerning fact: Armadillos are the only creature other than humans that can catch and carry Hansons Disease--AKA Leprosy. Avoid catching it from them by refraining from catching, handling, eating or skinning them. I am sure the armadillo would appreciate that advice. Science believes humans had it first and the disease jumped to armadillos about 500-600 years ago. I am pretty sure that they do not appreciate that.
There also seems to be a chain of antique stores called The Brass Armadillo. I thought you would like to know. My image is from Pixabay.
16 people like this
15 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
14 Jul 17
Wow this is so cool Heather..thought this was the one you saw but its a pixabay.
I had seen one once but I do not recall where it was.
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
14 Jul 17
You may have seen them in a zoo, or while in Kansas, or if you traveled to Oklahoma. If you look at wildlife books Kansas is not the natural range, but hubby and I long ago discovered that animals do not read books or check maps. They go where they can survive. Some people said they first started coming north in box cars that they would enter when they found them open.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
@TiarasOceanView I have not checked the maps and such, but twenty years ago they said armadillos did not live in Kansas. Of course cougars do not either, but yes they do.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
14 Jul 17
@GardenGerty If I am not mistaken it was Kansas in that little place we lived in Ottawa. Thats funny in box cars..that would not surprise me.
1 person likes this
@shikharava (1838)
•
14 Jul 17
You should call it 'it". And yes, you get Hansen's disease from Armadillos and even, monkeys, (Tuberculoid type). And you have already put so many interesting things about it, so I'm not gonna rewrite here.:)
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
14 Jul 17
I knew you could get tuberculosis from monkeys. Is there a tuberculoid type leprosy? Thanks for giving me something else to look up.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
@shikharava Yeah, i went and read about there being two types.
1 person likes this
@shikharava (1838)
•
14 Jul 17
@GardenGerty yes there is, the tuberculoid type. The bacteria is found in the feces of the monkeys.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
Its face makes me think of a rat. The one in my yard was about the size of a small cat.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
They were supposed to be native of Texas and southern Oklahoma. I think their territory is changing, though.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
14 Jul 17
Yes they will destroy a lawn and garden. We have them here but the dogs keep them ran off for the most part.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
I know my grandparents had dogs that would chase them. It was so scary to go out at night to relieve myself and see one.
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
14 Jul 17
I think they do not see very well, so it was hard to scare it until I stomped my feet. Then it ran.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
I wonder if it has gotten too hot for them in your neck of the woods.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111312)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Jul 17
We've never had any in this part of TX, it's way too dry and hot here @GardenGerty
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
I wonder if they would live in your climate.
1 person likes this
@valmnz (17099)
• New Zealand
16 Jul 17
@GardenGerty we have very few strange creatures living here, it's more a land of birds, bugs and insects
@Tampa_girl7 (49167)
• United States
18 Jul 17
We have many out here where I live.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
18 Jul 17
I understand that they are pretty widespread in the south.
@CookieMonster46 (13447)
• United States
15 Jul 17
I never seen one, I would have been surprised to see one at my door.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
At least my door was not propped open. Over the years I tend to prop the door for the cat or cats to go in and out. I have had possums, other cats and an Irish Setter come in and try to make themselves at home.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
They are so blind they get squished a lot everywhere, but I have never personally been in a car that squished one. I would think they might crunch.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
@TheHorse I am not sure where I read that, but yeah, they do not see or they do not pay attention.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (206937)
• Walnut Creek, California
15 Jul 17
@GardenGerty Ah, I didn't realize they were close to blind.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
14 Jul 17
I have been to many Brass Armadillo's. The armadillos I have seen were road kill on highways.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
14 Jul 17
Poor armadillos. They say that if you come upon one with your headlights on it will be so scared it will jump straight up in the air, and be hit by your car.
2 people like this
@manikarnika (3222)
• India
15 Jul 17
Yeah...First time seeing this creature.It's partially look like tortoise 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
It moves much faster, but it could, I guess.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
Do you have any interesting small animals around your place?
1 person likes this
@Neiltarquin (1062)
• Rass, Saudi Arabia
15 Jul 17
@GardenGerty not like that. We only have birds bees, the ordinary stuff.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
@Neiltarquin Is your area desert like, you know that is what most people imagine in Saudi Arabia.
@GardenGerty (157723)
• United States
15 Jul 17
Just as long as he stays out of my garden I am fine with him.
