9/14/2023 0 Comments Do armadillos hibernate![]() ![]() Less than twenty percent of nine-banded armadillos are estimated to be carriers and casual contact is not a risk factor. They do not have a great deal of body fat to protect them from low temperatures.īesides humans, it is the only other host to Hansen's Disease, formerly known as leprosy. Prolonged cold winter weather can also affect the population. An armadillo pup is more vulnerable due to the fact that its bony armor is not as well-developed as an adult's. Automobile encounters are rarely an issue on the island but armadillos can fall prey to coyotes, alligators, bobcats and birds of prey. ![]() This odd habit, coupled with the fact that it’s eyes don’t shine like a deer or other animal, contributes to many casualties seen on roadways. While this might work when dealing with predators, it often puts them in direct contact with what could be it’s most dangerous threat, the bumper of an oncoming automobile. It is unable to control the direction of the movement which helps scare off predators. Instead, when frightened, it may jump about three feet in the air. Most people think that armadillos curl into a ball, but the nine-banded armadillo cannot do this. The nine-banded armadillo has an interesting defense mechanism. Pups will occupy the den for a few weeks before venturing out to feed with their mother, who they will remain with them for 6 months to one year.Īn armadillo standing on its back legs sniffing the air. This is due to the fact that they develop from one egg that has split four ways. Nine-banded armadillos almost always give birth to four identical offspring. Therefore, pups are born in the early spring, when the weather warms up and there is an abundance of food. Although gestation only lasts about one hundred and twenty days, the female has the unique ability to delay implantation of a fertilized egg for up to four months. Reproduction occurs in July and August every year. They do not hibernate and are commonly seen in the winter on Cumberland Island. Armadillos are considered a nocturnal creature, yet are often seen in daylight hours, especially in the cooler months when they take advantage of the sun's warmth. It is a solitary animal with only the female sharing her burrow with her offspring. On average it will have four or five separate dens used for both shelter and food storage. Strong leg muscles and formidable claws enable armadillos to create burrows up to fifteen feet underground. An armadillo digs through the leaves with it's nose for a meal. ![]()
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