The species name, novemcinctus, refers to the nine movable bands on the middle portion of their shell or carapace. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish word meaning “little armored one.” Armadillos are considered both an exotic species and a pest . Georgia law prohibits keeping armadillos in captivity, however.
The answer is that Only one species of armadillo lives in Georgia and the southeastern United States, but 20 recognized species are found throughout Central and South America. These include the giant armadillo, which can weigh up to 130 pounds, and the pink fairy armadillo, which weighs less than 4 ounces.
Are there armadillos in Texas?
About two million years age, a relative of the armadillo as large as a rhinoceros lived in South America. Smaller cousins lived as far north as Canada. All of these forms disappeared in the ice ages long before humans inhabited North America. At the start of the 20 th century, the nine-banded armadillo was present in Texas .
About two million years ago a relative of the armadillo as large as a rhinoceros lived in South America, and small cousins lived as far north as Canada. These disappeared in the ice ages long before humans inhabited North America.
One source claimed the northern naked-tailed armadillo and nine-banded armadillo, are the two species that are found in Central America. Many species of armadillos are endangered . The nine-banded armadillo has reached the United States, primarily in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.
The nine-banded armadillo is mainly found in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and southeast Kansas southeastward to Georgia and most of Florida. The nine-banded armadillo lives in forests, scrub and brushlands. The soft soil is preferred by them to dig and make burrows.
Do armadillos have teeth?
In fact, armadillos have small, peg-like teeth that are useful for grinding their food but of little value for capturing prey. No other mammal in Georgia has bony skin plates or a “shell,” which makes the armadillo easy to identify.
Do armadillos carry rabies?
One wild armadillo in Texas was reported to have rabies but no known transmission to humans has occurred. Armadillos on Cumberland Island, Georgia, had between 0 and 3 species of parasitic worms per individual.