Armadillos in South Carolina

A far cry from the tropical climate of Central and South America, South Carolina is now host to a peculiar animal that once called the tropical new world its home. The Nine-Banded Armadillo is not native to South Carolina, but it is spreading slowly across the state. As more SC residents encounter this peculiar little animal, many residents are intrigued by its unusual appearance while others are dismayed at its damaging behaviors.

Armadillo TaxonomyAlthough it looks something like a cross between a turtle and a piglet, the Nine-Banded Armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, is actually a mammal most closely related to ant-eaters and sloths (Order Xenarthra:Family Dasypodidae). The term “armadillo,” which is Spanish for “little armored-one,” was ascribed to this creature by early Spanish explorers venturing to the new world. Actually there are 20 species of armadillo roaming Central and South America, but only the nine-banded armadillo has entered the United States. According to findings in the fossil record, ancestors of current day armadillos ranged as far north as Canada, but several ice ages pushed populations southward.

and in 1954 crossed into Mississippi. They continued to move to the east and to the north. Today, they range from Texas to Kansas and east to Tennessee and North Carolina. Although intolerant of freezing temperatures, burrowing behavior may allow them to continue to expand northward (Taulman and Robbins, 1996). The first sightings of Armadillos in SC came in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in the lowcountry near Jasper and Barnwell counties (Platt and Snyder, 1995). Today, they have expanded their range but remain limited mainly to the lowcountry west of the Santee River and into the western piedmont counties such as Edgefield and Saluda. A few unconfirmed sightings have been made as far north as Anderson county and in Clarendon county east of the Santee (personal communications with Extension agents, wildlife biologists, and maintenance staff with the SC Department of Transportation). Although not sighted there yet, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties will be the most likely next stops for this animal. North Carolina already has records of them in several counties along the southern border (NC Wildlife Commission, 2013).

Ben Powell, Extension Agent, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service

Range ExpansionThe first sightings of armadillos in the US occurred in southern Texas in the early 1900s. By the 1930s they had expanded into Arkansas and Louisiana,

Distinguishing CharactersArmadillos are easily recognized by the “shell,” which sets them apart from all other mammals. Actually the shell is a series of scutes, or bony plates, on the surface of the skin. These scutes cover the back and sides, the tail, and the forehead. In the animal’s midsection, the scutes overlap and telescope, allowing for flexibility, but unlike

Susan Roderos, 2013

IL 93 - January 2015

Horticulture: Pest Management

folklore might suggest, this species cannot roll into a ball. Although they are called “nine-banded,” they may have as few as seven bands or as many as ten. Full-grown armadillos are about the size of a large house cat, 24 to 32 inches long and 8 to 17 lbs. They are exceptionally fast runners for being “shelled” animals, and they are very proficient diggers. Tracks left by the front feet appear to be 3 toed with long, sharp claws and hind feet appear to be 4 toed and clawed. Actually the front feet have 4 toes, and the back feet have 5, but the extra digit is absent in most tracks. The head is narrow with an extended snout, and the tail is long with at least 12 bony rings. Armadillos have somewhat sparse hair on their shell and underside, and females can be distinguished from males by the presence of 4 teats on the belly. When frightened, armadillos can extrude anal glands, which give off a noxious odor, but they do not spray like skunks. (McBee and Baker, 1982)

ReproductionArmadillos tend to reproduce only once each year. The female ovulates only a single egg. Couples copulate in late summer, but the embryo delays development until winter. Upon implantation the embryo divides into four embryos, giving rise to identical quadruplets of the same sex. The litter typically is born in March or April but remains with the mother in the burrow for about 20 days before they emerge to begin foraging; meanwhile, the young are nursing mother. The father plays no role in caring for the litter. (McBee and Baker, 1982)

Habits and BehaviorArmadillos are omnivores, feeding mostly on invertebrates (insects, earthworms, millipedes, snails, etc.) especially beetle grubs and ant colonies, although they have been known to eat fruit, seeds and eggs of ground nesting birds, such as quail. They also eat small reptiles and amphibians if the opportunity arises. Their teeth are short and peg-like, so they are not well suited to shear meat like a predator or grind seeds and leaves like an herbivore. The armadillo’s tongue is long and has minute rear-facing hooks on the upper surface to help them capture insects from the soil. Their diet shifts seasonally as different foods become available. Armadillos are primarily nocturnal and spend most of their active hours searching for food. They have a strong sense of smell and are able to detect food below the soil surface. When food is detected, the armadillo will root into the soil with its snout, creating a conical hole that is 3 to 5 inches across and up to 12 inches deep.

Armadillos are strong diggers and proficient burrowers, digging tunnels as deep as 25 feet and about 8 inches in diameter, although most burrows are only 3 to 4 feet deep. They rest and reproduce in these burrows and use the burrows to avoid freezing temperatures. Burrows are usually located next to or under solid structures such as wood piles, old stumps, rock and brush piles, or buildings. Other animals have been observed using abandoned armadillo burrows and cohabitating with armadillos in active burrows. It is thought that the main predators of armadillo in South Carolina are coyotes, feral dogs, and raptors. Research in Georgia showed a strong negative interation between armadillos and wild hogs. Areas with large hog populations had low numbers of armadillos. Human activity, mainly car strikes and shooting, seem to be the main causes of mortality in armadillos. Armadillos often jump when frightened, and this leads to more frequent car strikes. (Chamberlain, 1980)

Legal StatusThis species is considered to be an exotic species and a pest in South Carolina. The rooting and burrowing result in damage to lawns and landscaped areas and can undermine stability of structures. They also impact species in need of conservation such as bobwhite quail, salamanders, and amphibians, and they have been pests in poultry operations. Armadillos also are known to transmit the bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae, also known as the skin deteriorating disease leprosy, although records of this infection in the US are few and far between. In South Carolina, no one has reported contracting leprosy from an armadillo.

In South Carolina, armadillos may be hunted or shot during the day on private property anytime of the year. They also may be shot or hunted at night on private property from the last day of February through July 1st, but the property owner must contact the SC Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR) and register the property and hunters at least 48 hours in advance. http://www.dnr.sc.gov/nighthunt/ Armadillos also may be shot at night outside of this season only if the landowner is granted a special depredation permit issued by the SC DNR. Landowners seeking a depredation permit should contact

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their local DNR law enforcement office at least 48 hours in advance.

Economic Impact:Armadillos have damaged several land use types including residential lawns, gardens, and structures. They have been pests in poultry and egg production operations. They cause significant damage to golf courses and fruit orchards, and there is concern about the affect they have on forest floor communities, especially ground nesting animals such as bobwhite quail and gopher tortoises. They can carry the causative agent for leprosy, but the potential for transmission to humans seems very limited. There has not been a comprehensive study of the economic impact of these animals across these various land uses.

Control MethodsExclusion:Fencing may be used to exclude armadillos from yards and gardens, but it is not extremely effective. They can burrow, and they can climb. A single electrified wire strung 3 inches above the ground and 6 inches from the base of the fence on the outside may increase the ability of the fence to deter armadillos.

Cultural:Since burrows often are dug next to heavy cover and structures, removing brush and wood piles from the property will discourage burrowing. Applying turf insecticides to kill potential food sources has been suggested, but this practice may not be effective because earthworms and other potential food sources may remain. Also, there may be impacts to desirable species from the over use of turf insecticides.

Repellents:Several products are marketed as being effective at deterring armadillos from foraging in yards and gardens. Most of these products contain caster oil and soap and were originally marketed for controlling ground moles. There has been very little scientific research to confirm the effectiveness of these products on armadillos or to determine under what conditions they will or will not work.

Toxicants/Poisons/Fumigants:There are no registered toxicants for dispatching armadillo in South Carolina.

Shooting:Shooting armadillos is the most selective control strategy available to landowners. It is legal to shoot armadillos in South Carolina with the purchase of a small game hunting license. If armadillos are causing damage within 100 yards of a primary residence or home, the landowner may shoot the offending animal without purchasing a hunting license or special permit. The recommended caliber for dispatching armadillos is the .22 caliber long range rimfire cartridge for rifles and pistols or number 4 shot shell for shotguns. In urban and residential communities, local ordinances or community bylaws may restrict the discharge of firearms.

Trapping:Aside from shooting, trapping armadillos is the most effective measure for population control, but there are several challenges to consider. Researchers have yet to find a bait that is very effective at luring armadillos. Some research shows limited success using meal worms, eggs or overripe fruit, but even these have limited success. The trick to trapping armadillos is placing the trap in a well travelled location and modifying the trap to encourage the animal to enter.

Jennifer Staton, 2014

Jennifer Staton, 2014

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The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offersits programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, martial or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture, South Carolina Counties,

Extension Service, Clemson, S.C.Distributed in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.

Authors/ReviewersBen Powell, Extension Agent, Clemson University Cooperative ExtensionIL 93: Armadillos in SC. January 2015

IL 93: Armadillos in South Carolina

This fact sheet may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution. If sections are re-used in other states, credit must be given to Clemson Extension and the authors.

The preferred trap for armadillos is the 10” x 12” x 32” wire box trap with doors that open on both ends. Trapping success can be enhanced greatly by:

1. Placing traps near burrow entrances or next to walls and fences where the animals travel regularly,

2. Modifying traps by mounting wings of 1” X 6” boards extending out from each trap entrance (serves to funnel the animal into the trap), and

3. Erecting sections of fencing to direct animals towards the traps (often referred to as “drift” fencing).

Other traps, such as leg hold traps and 220 conibear traps, also will work, especially when placed at burrow entrances, but these traps have the potential to maim or kill non-target animals that may be using the burrow. It is important to ensure that only armadillos are using the burrow before placing these types of traps. This can be verified either by placing a remote camera facing the entrance or by raking the soil in front of the entrance and checking the tracks left by the animal(s) using the burrow. Considering the possibility of disease transmission, anyone handling dispatched or trapped armadillos should wear gloves and a surgical mask. State wildlife personnel do not recommend relocating armadillos, because of the potential to cause damage in the release location. Trapped animals should be dispatched.

ReferencesChamberlain, P.A. 1980. Armadillos: problems and

control. Proc. Vertebr. Pest Conf. 9:163-169

McBee, K. and R.J. Baker. 1982. Dasypus novemcinctus. Mammal. Sp. 162:1-9

Cantrell, Geoff. 2013. Wildlife Commission maps armadillos expanding range in North Carolina http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexId/9204/Default.aspx

Platt, S.G. and W.E. Snyder. 1995. Nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus (Mammalia:Edentata), in South Carolina: additional records and re-evaluation of status

Taulman, J.F. and L.W. Robbins, 1996, Recent range expansion and distribution limits of the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the United States. Journal of Biogeography 23:635-648

Donald Hawthorne, USDA-APHIS, 1994