RALEIGH, N.C. — Armadillos are continuing to seek new homes across North Carolina because of the weather and changing climate.
Over the past 16 years, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has had 898 reports of the nine-banded armadillo across nearly two-thirds of the state's counties, according to the commission. Previous to 2007, there had never been a known spotting of the animal inside the state.
Native to Central and South America, armadillos have gradually expanded their range into the southeastern United States, according to the commission. Armadillos lack thick insulation and must dig for most foods.
Freezing weather conditions can cause them to starve or freeze to death, according to the commission. The animals, who seek mild winters, are slowly migrating northward as North Carolina experiences warmer winters.
“Whether armadillos continue spreading beyond their current range will be largely determined by climate,” Colleen Olfenbuttel, the Commission’s black bear and furbearer biologist, said in a released statement. “This makes it likely the armadillo is expanding its range naturally throughout North Carolina, rather than being helped by human intervention.”
The commission is asking for the public's help in tracking the migration of the nine-banded armadillos.
If you observe an armadillo in the wild, you can report the sighting to the NC Armadillo project by uploading and sharing your photos. You can also e-mail an observation to armadillo@ncwildlife.org. Reports such include:
- A photo of the armadillo (if available)
- When it was observed (date and time)
- The location where it was observed (GPS coordinates are best, but a detailed location description is acceptable)
Learn more by reading the Commission’s armadillo species profile, the 2022 armadillo observation report, and visiting the armadillo webpage.