Armadillos
Armadillo means “little armored one”. The armadillo found in Missouri is the “nine-banded” species. The nine bands refer to the nine plates of protective armor that provide protection and flexibility around its midsection. The armor is intricately decorated from head to tail, with a repeated small, detailed pattern on the shoulder and haunch sections, and two rows of interlocking triangles on each band. Younger adults are tan, gray with pink eyes and noses; the oldest are gray.
Many people thought that the Missouri River would be their northern boundary in Missouri, but armadillos are being spotted north of the river in some parts of the state.
In Missouri, armadillos are nocturnal in summer but sift their activity to daytime or evening in winter. They do not see well; their hearing is better than their sight.
Unless they are excavating your lawn in search of grubs, you might view armadillos with amusement and wonder. When searching for food, an armadillo looks like an army helmet shuffling along. With nose down, they make a constant whuff-whuff-whuff sound as they sniff, poke and dig. Armadillos are quickly becoming known as a destructive mammal on many Missouri gold courses, athletic fields, and home lawns.
Single adults tend to use a burrow, sometimes with other mammals. Like for skunks, liquid ammonia-soaked rags placed in a burrow can be a repellant. Other repellents are available that contain castor oil and other compounds.
