Armadillos can be affectionate animals as one can misunderstand them for their tough exterior coating.When humans are around, the armadillos are seen to be relaxed and calm. They enjoy digging the ground with their claws and love being petted.A baby armadillo is born with soft, leathery skin and walks within an hour or so after birth. Armadillos can be brave and determined but aren’t known much for their intelligence. Nine-banded armadillos can jump straight up into the air and sprint short distances. The three-banded armadillo was considered to be extinct until the 1990s. It has blackish-brown armor plating, which covers the entire body, head to tail. The plating was seen as two domed shells.These mammals are nocturnal and solitary. Humans are the biggest threat to these wild animals as they get run over on the roads. They prefer to be in sandy and loamy soil, as it gets easier for the armadillo to burrow and dig. Wild armadillos feed on insects, larvae, plants, and fruits, making them omnivorous and anteaters.If you have liked our article on armadillos so far, why don’t you check our other articles on do armadillos bite and what do armadillos eat.Can an armadillo be kept as a pet?As armadillos are wild animals, domesticating them is a big deal. Having these small animals as pets is illegal in many places. As the armadillo is an exotic animal, you have to check the local laws before keeping them as a pet. Veterinary advice or a wildlife rehabilitator must be sought in case of emergencies while owning this new pet. Caring for these animals can be risky and challenging. Owning such exotic pets without a wildlife rehabilitation license may be illegal. Always check your local rules and regulations; hence it’s advisable to follow up with the local rules of the locality.Armadillos can be great pets. Pet armadillos grow as big as a medium-sized dog. Unlike dogs, these small mammals cannot be comfortably cared for inside a house due to their strong musky odor.These animals also release a musky smell when threatened, which can be unpleasing to many. Moist canned cat food is a good food choice for the armadilllo as it contains all the ingredients that they need to stay healthy. In the wild these animals feed on eggs, small reptiles, and amphibians. While feeding a baby armadillo, pet owners should be cautious not to force-feed as this can cause severe gastric distress and can be fatal. Before keeping an armadillo as a pet, there are things that you need to consider. Though it is legal to own an armadillo, it might not be legal to sell it, nor can it be taken across the state. Armadillos and lizards can be interesting pets as they’re not like other reptiles; they are interactive and live in social circles.Armadillos and human encounters can lead to Hansen’s disease, which is also known as leprosy in humans. However, it’s not supposed to be a cause for concern. There are other known cases of armadillo encounters out of which most of the people were already immune to leprosy, and chances of catching leprosy from an armadillo are rare. There are almost 150- 200 leprosy cases seen each year in the US. Leprosy is a disease that is quite treatable if detected early.Types Of Armadillos In CaptivityOut of all the 20 types of Armadillos known, only a few are kept as pets in captivity. This could be because armadillos are not domesticated animals and taking care of these as pets can be challenging.One of the quite famous captive-breed of armadillo is the three-banded armadillo; it’s of both the Brazilian and southern type. Another pet armadillo known is the screaming hairy armadillo, which is less known than the three-banded armadillo. Another armadillo of these pets species is the big hairy armadillo, which happens to be the largest of them all. Anytime this species feels a threat, it screams extremely loud. Being solitary creatures, they only socialize to mate and to raise their young ones. Hence there can be clashes if multiple armadillos are kept together.Legality Of Pet ArmadillosArmadillos are inhumanely caught and sold in the illegal exotic pet trade. In each state, there are laws for exotic or wild pets specifying whether the species require a special permit, allowed, or banned.Animal rights officials advise against keeping wild animals in captivity, but this hasn’t kept exotic pet lovers from owning them, be it ferrets and foxes, armadillos, or even dangerous beasts like crocodiles, pandas, and tigers. You must go through the laws of the state that you reside in before owning such exotic pets.Caring For A Pet ArmadilloThe armadillo does well when in captivity. The life expectancy of this exotic species is 12–15 years. As per the reports, there are nine extinct and 21 extant species.If the pup armadillos are to be taken care of, provide kitten formula. If it’s an adult armadillo, then worms, grubs, and fruits would be the right choice.Housing The ArmadilloThe armadillo loves to explore the space of their natural habitat rather than being caged. Often they cover eight acres or more of land while in the wild.In an armadillo enclosure, a deep layer of substrate needs to be prioritized for digging. They are nocturnal and need room to roam. These animals enjoy the water; it would be great to have a pond or stream to swim in to get some exercise. This animal cannot tolerate cold weather and can start shivering as the temperature drops below 71.6°F (22°C). So the temperature in the enclosure should be maintained accordingly. A variety of food, mainly invertebrates and insects, and clean, non-chlorinated water keeps them happy.These animals prefer grasslands, forests, milder deserts, and warmer climates to make burrows and to hunt their prey. Hawks, foxes, raccoon, owls, and feral pigs are their predators. When kept in their natural spaces, armadillos find food by themselves.Other Problems Keeping Armadillos As PetsLike raising any other wild animal, there are struggles associated with raising armadillos.To list a few, the armadillo is prone to dig the courtyard with its claws. They can damage the carpets and rugs if kept inside. Due to their poor night vision, there are chances that this animal can attack anyone thinking that he/she is a predator. Since it’s not a domestic animal, it can be very difficult to bond with them.Similar Pets To The ArmadilloArmadillos are found in different sizes and varieties. The giant armadillo is considered to be the largest of all armadillo species, measured to as long as 5 ft (152.4 cm) and weighing 45 - 130 lb (20-58 kg). The smallest is the pink fairy armadillo with a size of only 6 in(15 cm) and weighs approximately 0.25-0.28 lb (0.113-0.127 kg).Another similar pet that has a great demand is the pangolin. It is one such pet similar to armadillo. These are in high demand with the public. If touched, it can roll up into a ball, and the sharp scales of the tail can lash out. This mammal can eat termites, larvae, and ants, and so their diet is similar to that of the armadillo. Pangolin enjoys the same habitat as armadillos, wetlands, and rainforests. Though like any other wild animal, there are similar laws to keep these mammals as pets.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for pet armadillo, then why not take a look at are armadillos dangerous or armadillo facts?
Armadillos can be affectionate animals as one can misunderstand them for their tough exterior coating.
