Are Broward County armadillos dangerous to pets?

There are over twenty-one different species of Broward County armadillos known to man. They all vary in size, shape, color and even behavior. Because of their low metabolic rate, it makes them one of only a few animals that can carry leprosy.



The nine-banded armadillo is the kind that is found in the United States. Most Florida armadillos originate in South America, but due to population influx, they are moving farther north. The nine-banded armadillo can be found in the southern states and as far north as Missouri and is considered the Texas state mammal. They prefer wet and hot climates, and these areas make it perfect for them.

Armadillos are primarily nocturnal animals. They spend a vast portion of their life foraging for food, mating, or digging. These strange looking little critters can sleep up to nineteen hours in a day. It is a common misconception that armadillos roll up into balls. There are only two species that can achieve this.

In most cases,Broward County armadillos eat only bugs. However, they also have a diet of nuts berries and seeds. They can also make snacks out of lizards, snakes, eggs, and small birds. They are notorious for digging up flowerbeds and creating all kinds of mayhem in gardens. They use their pointy snouts to root through the freshly dug dirt in search of grubs, maggots, larva and most other delicious bugs.

While Florida armadillos do not pose an immediate physical threat to your beloved pets, there are other risks that armadillos can pose to them. These shelled mammals can carry salmonella which can be transmitted through their fecal matter. Not only can they carry that, but they are also a carrier of tapeworms—also found in their fecal matter. If a domestic animal gets tapeworms in their system, it can become severe, causing your pet to starve to death.

They aren’t physically aggressive animals, but because of this, they can be a risk to your pet. If they are cornered, the could claw at their harasser. Armadillos have a gestation period of up to five months. At any one time, a female can give birth to one up to twelve offspring. Using their sharp claws, they dig birthing burrows that can be up to fifteen-foot-wide and eight feet deep.

The pups reach maturity after a year, and they are then ready to produce pups of their own. Broward County armadillos have a surprisingly long-life expectancy ranging from four years all the way up to thirty. If you think that you have an armadillo problem, it is best you contact wildlife control instead of trying to take matters into your own hand. They will send someone out to assess the situation, and then, if need be, place live traps to relocate them.

Visit our Broward County wildlife control home page to learn more about us.

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