Armadillo sightings

[JAB]

Last weekend, my mom and I took the trip down to my late, maternal grandfather's place on Lookout Mountain in Georgia to check on the place and do a little cleaning up and maintenance, etc.  On the way there I saw - right on the yellow line in the middle of the road between Summerville, GA and Menlo, GA, -  a dead armadillo.  Near the top of the mountain, in Cloudland, GA, I saw what remained of another dead armadillo at the side of the road (mostly just it's shell.)

 

Now, I am 42 years old and was actually born in LaFayette, GA (we lived in Menlo at the time.)  My paternal grandparents as well as my maternal grandfather and step-grandmother have all lived on Lookout Mountain (within about a mile or two of each other) for my entire life (until their respective deaths, that is.)  I have been on that road and others in the area countless times, hunted the area with my father and uncles when I was younger and even lived there for the first three years or so of my life.  I have never, not once, seen an armadillo in that area before, living or dead.  In fact, I've never seen one really anywhere near the area of north Georgia, north Alabama, etc. before.  I have been hearing and reading that armadillos are moving further north and east but those 'sightings' caught me completely off guard.

 

I have actually already read of sightings in East Tennessee but if things keep going as they are then I imagine it will only be a few years before they will be commonplace, here.  I mean, i didn't see any other roadkill along that stretch of road - no 'coons and not even a single 'possum.  When you see more dead armadillos on a road (even if the actual number is only two) than dead 'possums, I would have to imagine that means there is a significant population of the critters in that area.

 

I remember back in college at UT in the early-mid 90s my zooarcheology professor telling us that the reason armadillos didn't come any further east was because, as a general rule, we had colder winters than those in west Tennessee, etc.  He said that armadillos 'armor' made them more susceptible to cold than other, similar animals.  By that reasoning, I guess if we were to have a 'real' winter this year then maybe it would stave off their encroachment for a little longer.  If not then I guess we will see them in this area sooner rather than later.

 

From everything I have heard or read, it sounds like armadillos are mostly a nuisance and potential disease carriers with little if any positive aspects.  That being the case, although I have never gotten big into 'varmint' hunting, if they show up here then I will likely shoot every one I safely and legally can.

Edited October 18, 2013 by JAB

[tnguy]

I've seen several in downtown areas in mid TN.

[UncleJak]

I've seen more than normal lately too.

Sent barefoot from the hills of Tennessee

[jhc77]

Had something poking holes in my yard for the last two weeks. Finally this morning at 6 I was on the back porch and saw something below me (porch is about 8' off the ground). Flipped on the flood lights and there was an armadillo poking his snout in my yard looking for snacks, then a possum strolled by the wood line too. I'll put a picture up in a bit, the kid is on my PC. Only ones I've seen are flattened on the side of the interstate. Edited October 17, 2013 by JHC77

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

That is crazy.....I actually think they are cute but I know they can wreak havoc on  farms..

 

Everything is moving further north,,They said the same thing is happening with the fireants

[Timestepper]

Armadillos... buddy of mine in West Texas call 'em 'possum on the half-shell. Can't say that I've seen any in our area, but my best friend and I found a dead one along the Arkansas River, uphome in Kansas, several years ago and I'd never seen one anywhere north of Oklahoma to that point.

 

Guess they're moving kinda' like 'yotes only without the redeeming qualities of a coyote.

Edited October 17, 2013 by Timestepper

[BJB]

I had two come by my stand on some private property near LBL last year during bow season. Kinda surprised me but, reports are that they are moving north 

[bersaguy]

Several years back we took a trip up to Eureka Springs Arkansas and saw a lot of them dead on roads like you see opossums on roads in Tennessee. I guess the climate change is what is moving them east. 

[kieefer]

I've noticed the migration for years. I could see carcasses move closer to Nashville each year that I ride the Natchez Trace Prkwy.
Recently saw one legs up at I40 east and Stewarts Ferry pike exit.

[MacGyver]

They're a nuiscance, and they're definitely on the move.  I remember as a kid down in Georgia, there was a guy out on Cumberland Island whose sole job was to drive around in this old Toyota pickup and shoot armadillos on sight.  Most days, the bed of his truck had dozens, if not more dead ones.

 

Be careful touching them - alive or dead.  They're know to be able to transmit leprosy to humans.  Almost a third of the reported cases of leprosy every year are due to armadillo contact.

[Spurholder]

Saw one - dead and in the middle of the road, of course - right smack in the middle of Sam Ridley Parkway in Smyrna.  Right in front of the Town Center.

[jhc77]

Here's the varmint that was poking around in the yard this morning....I've never seen one in this area. Washed the brightness a little to see the booger.

 

[swim615]

Tons here to. I see more dead on the road than all other animals combined.

 

I have killed a good 8 or 10 at my place in the last 2 years. They are worse on a yard than moles.

 

I have a pic around here some where of one. Let me find it.

[Guest RebelCowboySnB]

I live on Sand mountain in Dade Ga. Thats not far from me an I have never seen one around here.

[ShaunM]

My mom lives in Perry County TN and they are real bad in that area. I have killed several on our property. Edited October 17, 2013 by ShaunM

[tnguy]

Be careful touching them - alive or dead.  They're know to be able to transmit leprosy to humans.  Almost a third of the reported cases of leprosy every year are due to armadillo contact.

So I guess "There's good eatin' on one o' them" is right out?

[MacGyver]

They eat them down in Louisiana and East Texas.  That's where all the leprosy cases are reported, too.  Coincidence? 

[10-Ring]

Haven't seen any around here but I went down to Hwy 72 in North Alabama a few weeks ago and they were all over the place.

[Guest Riciticky]

I lived in west Texas for over 30 years. They are known as Texas speed bumps. I didn't kknow they were in Tn.

[nightrunner]

From everything I have heard or read, it sounds like armadillos are mostly a nuisance and potential disease carriers with little if any positive aspects. That being the case, although I have never gotten big into 'varmint' hunting, if they show up here then I will likely shoot every one I safely and legally can.

Gonna need some AP ammo for that :p

[GuitaRx]

I saw a dead one on I24 just a mile or two south of Clarksville last year...

[MacGyver]

Gonna need some AP ammo for that :P

If ever there was a varmint for which the .17HMR was designed, it's the armadillo.

 

Those ballistic tips versus their hard shell and soft guts...bleh. 

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I've seen them as far east as Lebanon, so far, on I-40.

 

I call them Lipton's Cup 'o Soup.

[whitewolf001]

Guess if I find one I'll have to find out what a .300WM will do to one...

[tartanphantom]

.17 Hornet is the ideal cure for armadillos. Otherwise it's a royal mess to clean up-- and I ain't touching a dead one without disposable gloves.

Edited October 17, 2013 by tartanphantom