Armadillo

Posted by Twelvebit (Victoria, United States) on 13 January 2009 in Animal & Insect.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

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Comments (12)

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

Such an interesting creature...I like the light through the ears. Great shot.

13 Jan 2009 6:15am

Linerberry from Sumner, Christchurch, New Zealand

Wow incredible creatures are they not?!

13 Jan 2009 8:08am

@Linerberry: In ways you might not imagine. Aside from man, this is said to be the only mammal that carries the leprosy virus, so they are used in the study of Hansen's disease. In some places nearly 25% of these creatures are estimated to carry the virus. Some people eat them and some keep them as pets.

MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany

Very cute. I'd like to see them in Germany too.

13 Jan 2009 8:49am

k@ from Paris, France

Would love to see that breed for true ! Such a weird animal in its army-like suit of old ages !

13 Jan 2009 9:57am

@k@: They're strange creatures. This one was oblivious to my presence though all the others I've encountered fled at first sight.

Bonj from Jefferson City, United States

Nice shot. We have a state bird, etc., but I think the Armadillo might have to be considered the state roadkill here in Missouri. The only time I see an Armadillo around here is lying dead on the side of the road. Still see more raccoons, possums, and skunks on the side of the road, but there does seem to be a fair number of these. That protective outer layer doesn't do so well against cars.

13 Jan 2009 12:35pm

@Bonj: Supposedly, their road kill status is due to them jumping up to about bumper height as a reaction to car headlights rather than ineffective natural armor.

Marcah from Quincy, United States

Fantastic capture. My simple mind sees a jelly been with ears a tail and legs ":o)

13 Jan 2009 3:13pm

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Gorgeous image - wonderfully captured. To these eyes that aren't used to seeing them, they look more mechanised than natural.

13 Jan 2009 7:07pm

@Damon Schreiber: They're strange creatures.

Julian Kilsby from Birmingham, United Kingdom

What a great creature - I'd love to see one close up.

13 Jan 2009 8:16pm

@Julian Kilsby: Usually they flee when they see you but this one was oblivious to my presence. I had my lens inches away at times, but he was rooting around and in constant motion.

sherri from United States

I was looking at your title. Did you mean Arkansas? I know we have plenty of them. I've never seen one alive...just road kill. Sorry...that's probably more than you wanted to know:-)

14 Jan 2009 5:25am

@sherri: No, this refuge is in an area on the coast called Aransas Pass, in Aransas County.

I often see them deal alongside the road and being eaten by buzzards. Supposedly, they jump up to about bumper height in reaction to car headlights, and this reaction increases their death toll on the highway.