9 Banded Armadillo

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 3 November 2008 in Animal & Insect and Portfolio.

Taken in Palmetto State Park. Fading light forced me to shoot at ISO 3200.

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Comments (12)

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

Unusual creatures aren't they, and despite the hi ISO it is still quite an acceptable shot.

3 Nov 2008 6:10am

@Observing: A little bit soft --due to my hamfisted attempts at focus while he was walking.

Philip from Joburg, South Africa

I agree a little grainy but still worth the shot NICE!

3 Nov 2008 8:32am

@Philip: Thanks. A little soft too...which bothers me more than the grain.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Nice shot! Are they nice and shy or do they vandalize the backyards?

3 Nov 2008 10:44am

@MadScientist: They're timid and shy. I don't normally see them in the burbs --in fact, this is the first one I've seen that wasn't dead (mostly alongside the road)-- though my dog did catch one awhile back even though our yard is fenced. Some people keep them as pets. Some people eat them. But I'd leave them alone personally, because up to about 25% of them, depending on where you are, carry the leprosy virus.

Daryl from Amagasaki, Japan

Strange little guys... I hear they're crunchy on the outside but soft on the inside?

3 Nov 2008 11:27am

@Daryl: My dog confirms that observation. He actually got one and tried to eat it, much to our consternation, as about 25% of these critters, depending on where you are, carry the leprosy virus.

JoeB from Brampton, Canada

More mobile than a turtle.

3 Nov 2008 1:04pm

gbe from kansas city, United States

great shot of a really crazy looking animal. they look like miniature dinosaurs to me. i think the only times i've seen one, it's been road kill. this is a much better view :-)

3 Nov 2008 6:49pm

@gbe: That's usually where I see them, except here, and the one time my dog caught one and tried to eat it. That made us sweat too, 'cause depending on where you are, up to about 25% of these critters carry the leprosy virus. They're very timid and get killed in large numbers because they have a jumping reflex that causes them to jump up to about bumper height when a car is bearing down on them.

lisa v from Gawler, Australia

what a strange looking animal, but not ugly at all, quite cute.

3 Nov 2008 11:31pm

@lisa v: They're timid and shy. I don't normally see them in the burbs --in fact, this is the first one I've seen that wasn't dead (mostly alongside the road)-- though my dog did catch one awhile back even though our yard is fenced. Some people keep them as pets. Some people eat them. But I'd leave them alone personally, because up to about 25% of them, depending on where you are, carry the leprosy virus.

Elisa from Massachusetts, United States

I have never seen an armadillo! they really look like dinosaurs :)

3 Nov 2008 11:33pm

@Elisa: They're timid and slow, and I believe, don't hear all that well.

Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

I see some evidence of the ISO but nothing like we would once see from such a speed . . what a cute little creature these are.

4 Nov 2008 10:26am

@Ronnie 2¢: Timid and hard of hearing I think. This one is the first one I've seen in the wild that wasn't dead --usually you see them as road kill.

lisa v from Gawler, Australia

Well there's 3 things I did'nt know. That people keep them as pets, that people eat them and that they can carry the leprosy virus. Fascinating stuff.

5 Nov 2008 12:06pm