An army of amicable armadillos

When writing columns about Ohio's wildlife, I rarely stray from the animals that you're most likely to find in the state's woods and waters or stories about hunters and anglers. Okay – I do admit to writing about bull sharks in Lake Erie, but in my defense, that was on April Fool's Day. So, believe me when I say that I have never had any intention of penning a story about armadillos – that is, until two were found in Ohio. First of all, let's take a look at this unique armored animal. A relative of anteaters and sloths, the armadillo's name is derived from Spanish and means 'little armored one' and the Aztecs referred to them as the 'turtle rabbit'. To wildlife biologists, the little tank is known as Dasypus novemcinctus. According to those who study ancient fossil records, all of the armadillo species seemed to have evolved in South America. During the eons, land masses shifted and a continental bridge formed which linked South, Central and North America. A few of those armadillo species decided to head north. It was the nine-banded armadillo that moved furthest and is the one found in the south-central states. Whoever named this critter in a half-shell must have been averaging out the number of bands on its back. If you decide to do a count yourself, you'll find that the nine-band can have as few as seven and as many as eleven circling its upper body. Today, armadillos are a regular sight in Texas and one that I've run into (actually, swerved around) several times. When threatened, some members of the armadillo family may roll-up in a protective ball offering only a bite of scaly armor, but the nine-banded variety isn't one of them - he's a jumper. When startled or attacked, the nine-band will leap into the air in an attempt to repay that scare with a scare. I guess an odd looking two-and-a-half foot, 12-pound leaping what's-it would make me hesitate. That's when it's likely to scurry away – looking more like a panicking sowbug (pillbug). A peaceful sort which is plagued by poor eyesight, it often stands up on its hind legs to listen and to test the air if it senses danger – which usually comes from bobcats, coyotes, raccoons, some raptors, humans, and road traffic. While nine-bands aren't aggressive toward people or other wildlife, a frightened armadillo may nip or scratch if you pick it up. While escaping, don't be surprised if it jumps into a creek or pond, either. While they look like they would sink like a rock, nine-banded armadillos are really pretty good swimmers. They'll actually swallow gulps of air to increase their buoyancy. As for sinking like a rock, they'll sometimes choose that route, too. They'll forego air-gulping and wait to hit bottom and then start walking. They can hold their breath for up to six minutes or a bit more before having to surface. A common site in the Lone Star State as well as a few others, Texas armadillos are not considered a game animal. It's not off-limit to hunters or to those having issues with the animal. Their tendency to burrow and their propensity to inhabit some urban settings, raise similar issues that Ohioans experience with the sometimes-troublesome woodchucks. They dig underground dens, and when they're looking for food, armadillos may dig numerous 1 to 3-inch holes in golf courses, lawns, flowerbeds, and gardens. Another downside of the interesting nine-banded armadillo is that they're the only animal besides humans to host the leprosy bacillus. Before you panic, Laura Clark reports through Smithsonian Magazine that: "Though Hansen's disease, as it is clinically known, annually affects 250,000 people worldwide, it only infects about 150 to 250 Americans. Even more reassuring: up to 95 percent of the population is genetically unsusceptible to contracting it… And as for armadillos—the risk of transmission to humans is low… most people in the U.S. who come down with the chronic bacterial disease get it from other people while traveling outside the country." If you see one of these nocturnal creatures rooting around like an armored piglet, they're just looking for lunch. They eat insects, grubs, worms, snails, spiders, scorpions, beetles, and wasps. They'll sometimes eat small frogs, lizards, or eggs and will occasionally munch on fruits, berries, and seeds. Back to Ohio's sightings. Yes, it's true. Two nine-banded armadillos have been found in the Buckeye State. According to the Division of Wildlife, on May 11, 2021, one showed up near Mansfield at the state Route 13 and Interstate 71 off ramp. The other was found on June 21, 2021, at the exit ramp from I-71 to state Route 95 in Morrow County. To put it in southern forensic terms, both were DRT – dead right there; having been apparently struck by traffic. The division believes that these two were not residing in the state, but had hitchhiked their way into Ohio by accident. There was a rumor of a live specimen possibly being sighted near Columbus on Olentangy River Road, though it couldn't be relocated for positive identification. I think the Division of Wildlife's assessment is correct. My reasoning is that if we are seeing an army of armadillos invading the state, it would start in the southern counties and not just suddenly flair up in mid-state. Surely someone would have noticed. But really, what are the odds of ever seeing armadillos calling Ohio home? Apparently, better than we think. Kentucky has a stable population of armadillos roaming around the state. According to their Department of Fish and Wildlife; "Reports of nine-banded armadillos in Kentucky started in the mid-1980s. Throughout the mid-1980s and 1990s, the department received only occasional reports of armadillos, but by the early 2000s they had become fairly common in counties as far east as Land Between the Lakes; expanding to the north and east from Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee… The terrain and cold weather of eastern Kentucky may have functioned as an ecological barrier to their migration in the past, but this may change in the coming years. Thus, it is possible that soon we may see armadillos in every county in Kentucky." Our western neighbor, Indiana, also has a bunch of nine-banded armadillos who have declared themselves Hoosiers. According to information from the Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources (IDNR), during the early 2000s, reports of armadillo sightings on Indiana's roadways were first noted in southwestern portion of the state. Recent observations of live and roadkill armadillos indicate this species can be found year-round across the southern half of Indiana with reports of armadillos being received as far north as Porter County. Indiana laws protect armadillos and they cannot be killed, trapped, or captured unless it's causing substantial damage to property. How far will the nine-banded armadillo travel north? The animal was first documented in Texas by the mid-1800s, then eastward to Florida by the early-1900s. They then began expanding northward. Their expansion will be slowed and eventually stopped as they encounter winters with extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures. Their sparse fur, limited body fat, and generally low body temperature make armadillos susceptible to hypothermia. Limited winter forage could also cause starvation during winter months. The nine-banded armadillo will eventually meet its atmospherically held limits, but for right now… they're still exploring new homeland opportunities. Kind of looks like one of these days, we're going to get some company. "The armadillo wears its armor, not to fight, but to endure." – Anonymous Along the Way The Division of Wildlife proposed reducing the white-tailed deer bag limit in Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties from three deer to two in response to an unprecedented outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in these locations. If approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council, the proposed reduction would take effect on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 coinciding with opening day of the seven-day deer gun season. The proposed bag limit would remain in place until the close of the 2025-26 deer hunting season on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. The Wildlife Council heard details of the proposed bag limit reduction during a special meeting in Athens and the information is now under their consideration. Public comments on the recent proposal will be accepted online at www.wildohio.gov until Thursday, Oct. 16. A statewide hearing for the proposed rule will be held during the wildlife council's scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 22. If the council passes the proposed bag limit reduction, Athens, Meigs, and Washington counties will have three-deer bag limit until Sunday, Nov. 30. Deer bag limits in the rest of the state remain unchanged. See the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information on current bag limits across the state at www.wildohio.gov. Step Outside • Hunter and Trapper Education Class information and registration is found online at www.wildohio.gov or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. • Today: Statewide Deer Archery Season Opener. You will have till Feb. 1 to fill the freezer. • Thursday: Trap Shooting, open to the public. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. Contact: Karl Charron, 419-701-8698 or karl.charron@poet.com • Oct. 4-5: Youth and Veterans' early waterfowl season. • Oct. 9: Bird Dog First Aid. Join Hardin County Pheasants Forever for a 2-hour bird dog first aid class presented by Dr. Adam Ferguson of Baker Animal Hospital. 6 p.m., Liberty Conservation club, 1552 OH St Rt 235, Ada. $100 registration - includes a bird dog first aid kit ($130 value) and dinner. To Register: https://events.pheasantsforever.org/events/bird-dog-first-aid/fb23c6bf-296d-47bf-83b2-30a781a4339f • Nov. 9: Turkey Shoot. Time to get this popular event on your calendar so you can win that Thanksgiving turkey! Includes 10-bird shoots, still shoots, protections, and Annie Oakley's. Shooting begins at noon. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. Public welcome. Questions: Bob Yoder, 419-273-5057. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.