The most commonly found species of armadillo in Texas is the North American nine-banded armadillo. While the other 20 species of this particular mammal are secluded to South and Central America, the nine-banded armadillo has migrated far beyond the Rio Grande and can now be found living as far east as Florida.
This is what we discovered. Eating armadillos is not widespread in Texas today, although it has been popular among south-of-the-border residents for more than a hundred years. Many Texans, especially during the depression years of the 1930s, dined on the “Hoover Hog,” referring to the armadillo as “poor man’s pork.”.
Where can you find armadillos in Dallas?
Nowadays, armadillos sightings are common around Dallas, namely in Sam Houston Trails Park, at Trinity Trail north of Brockdale Park, at Greenbelt Trail, Denton, and also around Arlington. They’ve spread further north beyond Texas.
During the coldest times, they usually hide in some shelters and are rarely seen, yet it’s still possible. Originally from Mexico, armadillos appeared in Texas in the 1870s. Back then their range was restricted to the Lower Rio Grande Valley in the southern tip of Texas.
Where do armadillos live in Central America?
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.
Where do nine banded armadillos live?
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.
Today, all extant armadillo species are still present in South America. They are particularly diverse in Paraguay (where 11 species exist) and surrounding areas. Many species are endangered. Some, including four species of Dasypus, are widely distributed over the Americas, whereas others, such as Yepes’s mulita, are restricted to small ranges.
What kind of animal is an armadillo?
(Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus) About the size of a small dog, the armadillo may be found throughout Texas except for the Trans-Pecos region of far West Texas. It’s body is covered with bony shell which acts like armor to protect the animal from predators.