A wild armadillo at the waterhole.. I didn’t know they had such a long tongue ... and will drink continuously for in excess of six minutes. But after seeing this one yesterday at the...

Jeff Clow Loc: Iowa and Texas

I didn’t know they had such a long tongue ... and will drink continuously for in excess of six minutes. But after seeing this one yesterday at the magnificent Santa Clara Ranch in Deep South Texas, I now know more about these fascinating creatures.

Huey Driver Loc: Texas

Armadillos are notoriously stupid creatures. Their hearing is fair but eye site is poor. Have seen them spooked and take off running and run directly into a fence post or tree, Jump back up and take off again and do the same thing a second time. If your very careful you can sneak up on them from behind, grab em' by the tail and jerk them off the ground. Gotta get their feet off the ground as you can't hold on to them by their body. Never heard that about them drinking water but that long tongue serves them well for catching bugs from their hiding places. It is said they may carry leprosy. I have caught many but stopped when I heard that. Interesting creature none the less. Good capture. Thanks for sharing.

Jeff Clow Loc: Iowa and Texas

Huey Driver wrote:

Armadillos are notoriously stupid creatures. Thei... (show quote)

I haven’t caught any except with my lens ... but they are the only mammal (other than humans) who can transmit leprosy to others. Definitely something to avoid.

usnret Loc: Woodhull Il

Jeff Clow wrote:

I didn’t know they had such a long tongue ... and will drink continuously for in excess of six minutes. But after seeing this one yesterday at the magnificent Santa Clara Ranch in Deep South Texas, I now know more about these fascinating creatures.

Many moons ago me and the missus went on a camping expedition in the hill country of southern Texas. We found the perfect spot in a wooded area near a creek to set up camp. We never gave any thought to the small hole in the ground where we pitched our tent. Our son set up his tent not far from ours while we teased him about choosing such a lousy location. long about dawn she felt an aggressive nudge to the belly button, a loud scream got me instantly motivated to grab the flashlight and investigate. Guess what honey,,, I said as I watched the little guy come out from under our tent. Yep, it was an armadillo shore nuff. Among all the many quirky things about them, did you know they can also smile? Our son Jeff got the last laugh and reminds us of it to this day!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Cool pic...

Jeff Clow Loc: Iowa and Texas

usnret wrote:

Many moons ago me and the missus went on a camping... (show quote)

Great story!

i2e10toes Loc: Oregon, now Hollister Missouri

Until I moved here (Missouri) I thought that armadillos were New Mexico, Texas desert creatures. I have seen many armadillos here in Missouri, but they're always roadkill. I am really looking forward to seeing a live one. I only want to look, not touch.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

i2e10toes wrote:

Until I moved here (Missouri) I thought that armadillos were New Mexico, Texas desert creatures. I have seen many armadillos here in Missouri, but they're always roadkill. I am really looking forward to seeing a live one. I only want to look, not touch.

Geez they are very close to St.Louis now.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Jeff Clow wrote:

I didn’t know they had such a long tongue ... and will drink continuously for in excess of six minutes. But after seeing this one yesterday at the magnificent Santa Clara Ranch in Deep South Texas, I now know more about these fascinating creatures.

Great image!!!
I have a photo of one (in the wild) taken with120- 24mm @24mm about 18" facing almost full on, I was laying on the ground and had to poke the critter with a stick to get it to look up.

Jeff Clow Loc: Iowa and Texas

Manglesphoto wrote:

Great image!!!
I have a photo of one (in the wild) taken with120- 24mm @24mm about 18" facing almost full on, I was laying on the ground and had to poke the critter with a stick to get it to look up.

Thanks much. Sounds like you had a truly close encounter!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

They visit my yard nearly daily, they look for grubs and other insects, will waste an ant mound, sometimes make little divits in the yard....I don't care as they (the divits) tend to disappear with the first rain.....many folks kill them for making the divits, which I think is cruel and very unnecessary. If you want to see yard damage, wait for a wild hog family to pass through...they will till it for you!!!! My neighbors backyard is still recovering!

Jeff Clow Loc: Iowa and Texas

olemikey wrote:

They visit my yard nearly daily, they look for grubs and other insects, will waste an ant mound, sometimes make little divits in the yard....I don't care as they (the divits) tend to disappear with the first rain.....many folks kill them for making the divits, which I think is cruel and very unnecessary. If you want to see yard damage, wait for a wild hog family to pass through...they will till it for you!!!! My neighbors backyard is still recovering!

Fascinating. Thanks for the extra information!

Goober Loc: Southeastern PA

Huey Driver wrote:

Armadillos are notoriously stupid creatures. Thei... (show quote)

Why would you want to pick one up and create stress for it?

Huey Driver Loc: Texas

Goober wrote:

Why would you want to pick one up and create stress for it?

Relocation a lot of times. Especially if a neighbor is prone to kill them.

lsaguy Loc: Udall, KS, USA

Picking up an armadillo is a really bad idea. They are carriers of Hanson's Disease. You might know by its other name. LEPROSY.

Rick