Armadillos are closely related to anteaters and sloths.

Identification

• Huge front claws used for digging
• Long, sticky tongues to extract insects from their hiding places
• Get their name from their armor-like shell (shell actually consists of small bony plates covered with a layer of skin)
• Mammals with soft hairs on their stomach

Environment

• Eat insects, beetles and fruit
• Usually nocturnal they tend to be inactive during the daylight hours
• In the winter, tends to forge for food during the warm daylight hours and returns to its burrow in the evening
• Leaves, grass, and other vegetation are used to create their nesting or bedding area

Threats

• Dig their burrows 2 to 3 feet below the surface
• May have several tunnels which can be 20 feet in length with several entrances that connect to the nesting area
• Not usually a problem for people but, at times, can be a major pest by digging in search of insects to eat while on your property

Treatment

• Live cages