Are Armadillos Good Pets?

Armadillos are not typically an ideal pet. They are wild animals that do not have a long history of being domesticated such as dogs and cats have and will in fact act wild. Not only is it illegal in most places to own a wild animal such as an armadillo (unless of course you have the proper permit) but it can also prove to be difficult as these creatures require a number of different things in order to survive.

Just one of the many things that armadillos require is a place for them to burrow. They are burrowing and foraging creatures, and as a result of this trying to keep one locked up in a cage or at home as a pet may end up causing some problems. The armadillo could exhibit bad behavior if they are not willing to accept this type of lifestyle.

It is not uncommon for these creatures to act shy and aggressively towards humans if they feel threatened. When put under stress it can also cause them many health problems for the armadillo. Some people have complained about keeping armadillos as pets because they are noisy creatures that make a mess and get into everything. They have been said to be “stinky, messy, and nasty” by some. While others have liked keeping them as pets.

No matter what a person’s personal opinion is on these creatures however, the main thing to consider about this animal is that they are naturally wild animals and for this reason do not make ideal pets. They are nocturnal creatures that have been known to keep people awake during the night as they can be quite noisy and very active during this time. Their musky body odor is one of the biggest problems in keeping them in captivity. They have also destroyed some owner’s lawns with their digging habits.

In addition, these creatures are unable to withstand cold climates, which means that when it gets colder outside the armadillo would have to be kept indoors all of the time. Some people that have tried to keep these creatures as pets have accused them of destroying their homes, knocking over trash cans, etc.