Are armadillos bulletproof

Armadillos are a common pest in the Southern United States and other regions with warm and temperate climates. It’s well known that armadillos can cause a great deal of property damage due to the fact that they burrow and dig for worms. But are armadillos dangerous to people? In this article, I’d like to share my experience with handling armadillos so that I can answer that question properly. I’ll explain when armadillos are dangerous, the specific dangers they pose, and how to handle an armadillo safely. Are Armadillos Dangerous?Are Armadillos Aggressive Toward Humans?Do Armadillos Bite?Are Armadillos Rabid?What To Do If An Armadillos Bites YouArmadillo Feces and UrineTicks, Fleas, And ParasitesTypes Of Property Damage From ArmadillosDamage Inside Your HomeBurrowing Near Building FoundationsUrine And Feces DamageDamage In The YardLawn And Landscaping DamageBurrowing Under Decks And FencesBurrowing Under Garden ShedsDestroying VegetationWhat To Do If You Encounter An ArmadilloIn Summary: Are Armadillos Dangerous To People?FAQ’s The short answer is both yes and no. Generally, armadillos are not very dangerous, and they don’t pose much of a risk to humans. In most cases, when faced with a predator, armadillos simply freeze up and remain motionless, relying on their armored plates for protection.That said, when cornered and afraid, armadillos can attack with their teeth and claws. This is often very dangerous because armadillos are known carriers of transmissible diseases. By the way, our site is supported by visitors like you. Some links on this page may be affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! You can find out more here. Are Armadillos Aggressive Toward Humans?Armadillos are passive creatures and, unless cornered, are very unlikely to show any aggression towards humans. They only eat worms and small insects, so there is zero chance of one attacking out of hunger. However, when they feel trapped or threatened, they can become aggressive and their teeth, although very small, can absolutely penetrate your skin. Armadillos also have razor-sharp claws, which are their primary weapon. Take it from me… you don’t want to be on the receiving end of an armadillo’s claws!Do Armadillos Bite?Contrary to popular belief, armadillos can absolutely bite you. I used to think they couldn’t bite since their teeth are so small and they only eat soft food like worms. I learned the hard way that they definitely can bite and won’t hesitate to do so when they feel trapped. I have trapped my fair share of armadillos and been bitten more than once. These days, I always wear thick leather gloves when handling an armadillo. I highly recommend you do the same. Are Armadillos Rabid?Armadillos can spread

Though they may not be very cuddly, there’s no denying that armadillos are still incredibly cute creatures!Coming in a large range of sizes, armadillos are surprisingly talented mammalsThey are also among the few mammals that can lay eggs.If that’s not enough to spike your interest in these animals, these 30 facts about armadillos will certainly impress you!Armadillos were named by Spanish explorers – the name literally means “little armored thing.”There are 20 species of armadillos – only one of which lives in North America. The rest live in South America.Armadillos are the only mammals that have a body that is covered with a hard shell.These cute creatures live in grasslands, rainforests, and semi-arid locations.Armadillo sizes span from 5-59 inches (12-150cm) in length and 3-120 pounds (1.3-54 kg) in weight.The giant armadillos that reach 59 inches can have up to 100 teeth.Color ranges for armadillos vary between dark brown, black, red, gray, or even yellow!Contrary to popular belief, only one species of armadillo can curl up into a ball to defend itself against attacks.When it comes to other armadillos who can’t roll up, they will run or dig a hole in order to escape.Most armadillos are incapable of rolling into a ball because they have too many plates which limit their flexibility.The armadillo shell is made out of bone that grows directly from their vertebrae.Armadillos sleep anywhere from 16-18 hours per day!Their digging capabilities help them find food to eat – namely insects, as well as small mammals, roots, and fruit.Their long sticky tongues help them for sucking up ants (including fire ants) and termites.Aside from just digging, armadillos have a fantastic sense of smell to find their food. This makes up for the fact that they have poor eyesight.Surprisingly, armadillos are good swimmers, and can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes.When they need to cross a large body of water, armadillos can gulp air into their intestines in order to become more buoyant.If an armadillo comes across an obstacle that it can’t burrow under, they can use their fantastic climbing abilities to go over the object!In the wild, armadillo’s life spans range from 4-7 years. In captivity, they can live 12-15 years.Because of their thin shells and low body fat, armadillos can’t maintain their internal temperature like most other mammals do.Armadillos are not social animals – they only get together with other armadillos to mate or keep warm.The gestation period for armadillos ranges from 2 to 5 months. From one egg there are 4 baby armadillos!The armadillo babies are born without the bony plates. They develop after a few weeks, with the soft skin turning into the hard armor we know of.In its lifetime, an armadillo can have up to 56 young over the course of her life.Armadillos do their foraging during the morning and evenings.Surprisingly enough, armadillos can run up to 30mph (48km/h)! This helps them outrun their predators almost effortlessly.Armadillo shells have been traditionally used in making a South American lute instrument called a charango.Due to

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts1. Are all armadillos pretty much the same size?2. Armadillos are mostly found in South America. How did the nine-banded armadillo get to North America?3. For what does the armadillo use its long, sharp claws?4. In what language does "armadillo" mean "little armored one"?5. Armadillos are able to contract a disease that most animals can't, making them a useful animal for scientific research. What is the disease? 6. How does the armadillo stay afloat?7. What do most armadillos of the genus Dasypus have in common with the parents of the Smith quadruplets?8. What can you make from an armadillo shell?9. What do Smaug the dragon and North American armadillos have in common?10. Why does the North American nine-banded armadillo frequently end up as road kill?Source: Author BhethThis quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online. Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

You’ll probably only ever see the damage they cause. Armadillos are also timid and afraid of people, so if one does spot you, it will usually take off to its nearest burrow. However, once you realize that you have a problem in your yard, you have two options. Your first option is to understand the intricacies of trapping armadillos yourself. It’s the least expensive option, and you’ll need to understand the basics before trying it for yourself.Otherwise, you should contact your local pest control company. They can send out a technician to bait some traps and take care of the problem for you. Either way, it’s going to cost you. It’s just a question of how much. In Summary: Are Armadillos Dangerous To People?In most cases, an armadillo will not attack you. Even when confronted, they often just freeze up and hope that their protective plates will save them. However, once trapped, armadillos do become aggressive, and they can attack you. If you get bitten or clawed by an armadillo, then you’ll need to seek medical advice immediately because they can transmit very serious diseases, including Hansen’s disease AKA leprosy. Armadillo excrement can also cause infection, so tread carefully if you think you’re dealing with an armadillo in the area.Finally, armadillos are responsible for a ton of property damage in the Southern United States. They can destroy your lawn, deck, fence, flowers, barbecue, and all kinds of stuff — even the foundation of your house. So, it’s important that you take immediate action when you detect the presence of an armadillo on your property. FAQ’s Are Armadillos Dangerous?Armadillos rarely attack people unless cornered, but their urine and feces can transmit harmful diseases. They also carry ticks, fleas, and other parasites that can also transmit diseases. Plus, they can ruin your yard and even damage the structural integrity of your home. Is It Safe To Pick Up An Armadillo?With the proper protective gear, which includes long sleeves, and thick leather gloves, it is possible to safely handle an armadillo. However, if you handle an armadillo without protective gear, then you run the risk of being bitten, clawed, or even contracting a serious disease.