Some days I come across a lot of Armadillos. It seems that there is a unique pattern of weather that brings these little armored mammals out in droves. I haven’t quite put my finger on what it is yet, but there is a combination of sun, temperature, wind, and rain that Armadillos really prefer.

Last Saturday was just such a day, and I encountered over a dozen Armadillos as I hiked through River Legacy park in Arlington, Texas. If I stopped and listened, I could hear even more rooting through the leaf litter behind the privet groves.

At one point, I entered a clearing where three Armadillos were going about their business. This presented a great opportunity to observe these interesting animals.

As I have documented here on many occasions, Armadillos do not have the best situational awareness. Their eyesight and hearing are poor, and I’m not that impressed with their sense of smell either. If you are reasonably discreet you can walk right up to them and they will never know you are there. Sometimes, even when alerted to a presence, the Armadillo does not have the capacity to detect the source of danger, even at close range.

Thank goodness they have that armor for protection!

As indicated by the arrows, there are three Armadillos in this photograph.
As indicated by the arrows, there are three Armadillos in this photograph.
They were busy foraging, and I could walk right up to them.
They were busy foraging, and I could walk right up to them.
As long as I was discreet!
As long as I was discreet!
A Texas Armadillo.
A Texas Armadillo.
These guys get very single minded about their foraging.  They can work a plot of land over pretty thoroughly in just a short time.
These guys get very single minded about their foraging. They can work a plot of land over pretty thoroughly in just a short time.
This armadillo knows something is wrong, but even though I am only three feet (one meter) in front of him with a beeping camera, he cannot pinpoint my location.
This armadillo knows something is wrong, but even though I am only three feet (one meter) in front of him with a beeping camera, he cannot pinpoint my location.
Back to foraging with the potential danger now a distant memory.
Back to foraging with the potential danger now a distant memory.
Armadillo days at Arlington's River Legacy Park.
Armadillo days at Arlington’s River Legacy Park.

4 Replies to “Armadillo – Lots”

  1. Love these guys. Wish I had the ability to observe them in nature too. They are amazing prehistoric creatures. Love the hairy chins.

Leave a Reply to Erin Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.