Has anyone seen a "living" armadillo in Tennessee?

[K191145]

Thinking about the snake thread and talking about dead snakes on the road, I have seen many "dead" armadillo's on the side of the road but never a live one. Used to be armadillo's just didn't exist in Middle Tennessee. I recon it's just because armadillo's are nocternal, just strange seeing so many here dead or alive in Middle Tennessee.

[SupaRice]

Yeah, had one try to slip past me when I was sitting by the fire out back one night last year. I'm in the green hills area not far from Radnor.

[dawgdoc]

What is the topography like in Middle Tennessee?  In Georgia, we have had a ton below the fall line, but I just don't recall seeing many if any in northwest Georgia on my travels.  If they are here, they are much more rare than in south Georgia.  In south Georgia, they can easily burrow in the sandy soil; I could see that being a limit on their habitat up here.

 

I once scared a live one in south Georgia; it took off much faster than I knew they could go.  

[TMF]

They are nocturnal. I've never seen a live one during the day, and only see them after midnight.


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[TNWNGR]

Yeah. I've see quite a few of them in West TN but not as many in Middle TN. I've seen dead ones in the Montgomery County area and live ones in the Stewart County Henry County area.

[K191145]

What is the topography like in Middle Tennessee?  In Georgia, we have had a ton below the fall line, but I just don't recall seeing many if any in northwest Georgia on my travels.  If they are here, they are much more rare than in south Georgia.  In south Georgia, they can easily burrow in the sandy soil; I could see that being a limit on their habitat up here.

 

I once scared a live one in south Georgia; it took off much faster than I knew they could go.  

 

Seen quite a few when I was at Ft. Stewart in the 80's, they are definitely migrating north.

[K191145]

Yeah. I've see quite a few of them in West TN but not as many in Middle TN. I've seen dead ones in the Montgomery County area and live ones in the Stewart County Henry County area.

 

See quite a few dead ones on I-40 near Kingston Springs.

Man I would hate to run over one, you would think their shell would tear a tire up.

Edited October 31, 2015 by K191145

[Oh Shoot]

...

Man I would hate to run over one, you would think their shell would tear a tire up.

 

Biggest damage seems to be to grilles and headlights as they are apt to jump straight up when started .. like just before the thud.

 

- OS

[No_0ne]

Only briefly, right before they commit suicide in front of my vehicles ...

[K191145]

Biggest damage seems to be to grilles and headlights as they are apt to jump straight up when started .. like just before the thud.

 

- OS

 

Already replaced my grill, headlight, hood and fender a few years ago, but that was a deer. Now I only have liability so I don't need to hit anything else, my vehicle isn't worth paying collision on anymore.

[K191145]

Only briefly, right before they commit suicide in front of my vehicles ...

 

I don't believe it, I think a trucker from Texas is driving up and down the interstate throwing out dead armadillo's as a joke.

[monkeylizard]

I saw one digging for its dinner in a yard in my neighborhood during an evening walk a few weeks ago in western Davidson Co.

[WindHawk]

Yeah, when I first saw it but not for long.  I think it developed a case of lead poisoning.  Had rooted up about 1/4 acre of my neighbor's yard.  About 25 miles northwest of Nashville. 

[TMF]

See quite a few dead ones on I-40 near Kingston Springs.

Man I would hate to run over one, you would think their shell would tear a tire up.

 

Nope, they're really squishy.  I grew up in Florida, and spent my late teens/early twenties working late nights.  I've squished several in a Chevy Cavalier.  They leave a mess under your car.

[satalac]

Yup, quite a few in Rutherford Co. Also seen several dead ones in the plateau, so they're making their way east. Just make sure you don't touch them or get their blood on you. Little buggers are known carriers of leprosy.

[K191145]

Yup, quite a few in Rutherford Co. Also seen several dead ones in the plateau, so they're making their way east. Just make sure you don't touch them or get their blood on you. Little buggers are known carriers of leprosy.

 

I have heard that.

[Grand Torino]

I had 4 hanging around my back yard until they met an untimely death.

[swim615]

I see them out most just after dark. They can really dig up the lawn even worse than moles. I've shot 5 or 6 this year in my yard. The only time I saw any in the daytime was last winter when it was so cold. The 2 I shot during the day then were very skinny. Their (shells/ leathery skin) were actually caved in some. I guess it was to cold at night for them to feed.

[Photoguy67]

I see one every few months, usually on highway 100 around the perry county-hickman county line.

[WarPig]

I saw one scamper across Hillsboro Road next to Grassland Middle a few weeks ago and my buddy who does wildlife mgmt was in the car (and as odd conversations go among rednecks) he was saying that there is a big resurgence of them in middle tn.

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[10-Ring]

I'm of the opinion that they don't actually live here but people from Arkansas drop them off on the shoulder of the road while passing through.

[BigK]

Yep, had one in front of my house this summer digging around the foundation of the house. I couldn't shoot it (inside city limits) and couldn't get a good whack at it with a tool (under some bushes), so I just waded into the to shrubs and gave it a few hard stomps/kicks. It ran off to tear up somebody else's yard. Next time, I'll get out the bow. It's illegal to shoot inside the city limits too, but nobody would have known it happened at least.

[greenego]

Are you'll sure you are seeing armadillos :stunned: and not possums on the half shell?  :taunt:

 

[Miltech]

I saw my first live one last week when I let the dog out at night. Those rascals can run pretty fast with a large dog after them. 

[Jct1911]

I'm in West TN, didn't see a live one til 3wks ago, right in the middle of town about 9pm. I eased up on him like a speed bump, up and over, no more armadillo. 2 nights later, popped one in backyard with 300blk and supressor. They will tear your yard apart, like really big moles.