The unusual looking armadillo is known by several nicknames:
Possum on the half-shell.
Armored pig.
Rolling armored ball.
But it turns out the armadillo could also go by a new nickname: North Carolina transplant. Due to climate change, we experience fewer long stretches of below-freezing conditions, so the Central and South American native has gradually expanded its range northward.
And North Carolina appears to be a perfect place for it.
While armadillos carry that famous shell for protection from predators, the animals lack thick insulation and must dig for most foods. Freezing conditions can cause them to starve or freeze to death, so our mild winter temperatures are ideal.
As of 2022, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has confirmed the presence of armadillos in 28 counties across the state, from the mountains to the coast. However, since 2007, the commission has received almost 900 reports from 70 counties, although those reports weren’t confirmed. Most of the sightings are in the western part of the state, but officials believe armadillos are spreading out into more areas.
So, the NCWRC has asked folks to report any sightings of nine-banded armadillos (the most widespread) as part of The NC Armadillo project. It wants to know how far their range has expanded.
“Whether armadillos continue spreading beyond their current range will be largely determined by climate,” said Colleen Olfenbuttel, a black bear and furbearer biologist with the NCWRC. “We believe the armadillo is expanding its range naturally without any human intervention. The conditions are right for it to move.”
If you spot an armadillo, email armadillo@ncwildlife.org and include the following:
Or upload and share your photo with the report to the iNaturalist NC Armadillo Project website. You can also download the iNaturalist app for iPhone and Android.
