Contrary to what some may believe, armadillos do have teeth, although they are quite unique. Because small bugs and soft plants are among the creature’s main food sources it diets upon, and these are not that difficult to chew these creatures do not have very complicated teeth. They do not have incisors or molars and the only teeth that they do have are peg shaped molars. These molars do not have the hard white enamel we are used to seeing in other mammals. Armadillos instead have ever growing teeth that are rootless. They do not require teeth for tearing meat.

Most species of armadillos are able to climb fences if they are not too high. Usually scaling them is no problem at all for armadillos. Armadillos are sometimes able to climb trees as well, in most cases these tree are already at a very acute angle such as one that has practically fallen down, but there have been some cases where an armadillo has been able to scale up a tree no problem, just as it would a fence or any other object. As a general rule, if these creatures can’t dig under something they will find a way to climb over it.

Typically, armadillos are not aggressive animals. In fact, they are usually quite shy, docile and non-aggressive in nature. When these creatures are alarmed they are capable of achieving astonishing speed and agility and are also masters when it comes to dodging. An armadillo’s reaction to danger is usually to run or burrow rapidly into the ground where it then wedges itself into a hold using its back and claws. If pursued, it changes from its normal shifting shuffling gait to a scuttle, and then moves on to a fast gallop with remarkable speed. These creatures can even outrun people over short distances. If caught, they have been known to fight using their claws in order to help defend themselves, however they are not known to bite as they do not have teeth in the front part of their mouths.

While these creatures are typically very calm and shy in nature, under the right circumstances they have been known to get aggressive from time to time. Since they are naturally wild animals, trying to captivate them can sometimes be difficult and could be a potential harm to the person trying to keep the armadillo as a pet as it may try to retaliate.

Although animals have tendencies and certain behavioral traits that they may exhibit more than others, one can never be too sure when something unexpected could occur. There is a first time for everything, and there is always the chance that an armadillo could in fact turn aggressive if it feels threatened in some way, shape or form.

Armadillos do carry diseases. In fact, one of the most common diseases that are often found in armadillos is leprosy. The link between human infection and armadillos has not yet been heavily tested, but it does still remain a risk. In Louisiana alone, 53% of armadillos were found to have leprosy. Symptoms of leprosy include skin lesions, numbness, and nerve damage and muscle weakness. Armadillos are the only animals that can transmit this disease and they do so by attacking with their claws.

Armadillos are also sometimes known to carry rabies, although it is rare compared to other species of animals. Rabies is a virus that progressively paralyzes and kills any mammal, including humans. Rabies is generally contracted through contact with an infected armadillo through biting. It should be noted however, that since armadillos rarely bite, and only possess a few peg shaped molars, that individuals are at lower risk of contracting armadillo rabies than say contracting rabies from an animal such as a raccoon. If an armadillo seems fearless around humans or seems to be very active during the day, there is a good possibility that it is infected with the disease. It is for this reason that individuals should avoid the animal at all costs and call animal control immediately to have the armadillo professionally removed.

Another problem that is not uncommon in these creatures is contracting tapeworms. Tapeworms are parasites of the digestive system that can be transmitted to humans. Armadillos are also known to carry the bacteria salmonella. People who pick up this bacterium can become seriously ill with diarrhea, fever, vomiting and chills. Salmonella can also affect the blood and can in serious cases even be fatal resulting in death. Armadillo salmonella can be easily spread through contact with armadillo fecal matter.

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.

Armadillos are mammals, thus making them warm blooded creatures. Warm blooded creatures such as the armadillo maintain their own body temperatures internally and these temperatures do not vary depending on their external environment. Armadillos live primarily in warm habits, including areas such as Texas, Florida, Central, and South America. However, it should be noted that this selection in habitat has more to do with their body cover than the fact that they are warm blooded creatures.

Mammals can be defined as having hair. They differ in this way from reptiles, since reptiles possess scales. At first glance, it is often difficult to notice the hair of some species of armadillos, but they do in fact have hair though it is very sparse. This is especially true for their sides and underbelly. These creatures use this hair as a way to protect themselves from the cold temperature as well as dust or other environmental conditions that may come across their way. Since these animals are warm blooded however, and tend to reside in warmer areas, this could be a reason for their hair being so sparse.

Another way one can tell that armadillos are warm blooded mammals is because with very few exceptions, mammals (warm blooded creatures) give live birth to babies that drink milk that comes from their mother’s mammary glands. Whereas, cold blooded creatures such as reptiles usually lay eggs or give live birth but do not nurse them. Mammals such as the armadillo can make their own heat when they are outside and start to get cold.

It may come as a surprise to you, but it is true that armadillos are able to jump. They can often be found doing so in a way to try and defend themselves and thwart off predators. These creatures will jump straight up into the air as a way to try and startle their predators so they can quickly escape to safety while the predator is distracted. A nine banded armadillo can jump anywhere from 3 to 4 feet in the air.

Armadillos have also been known to jump up in the air when they are startled. For example, they may be scared by a car passing by and jump up in the air as a result. This is not uncommon. A startled armadillo jumps straight into the air with an initial velocity of 18 feet per second.

Individuals owning armadillos as a pet is usually greatly frowned upon and in most cases is found to be illegal. Although these creatures do not typically appear to show any outward signs of stress in captivity, under the wrong circumstances they have been known to become aggressive from time to time or succumb to the same types of health problems that affect many captive animals.

Armadillos are wild animals. It is for this reason that many state and local governments place restrictions on the keeping of wild animals. It is most likely illegal for you to take an armadillo into your home or to hold it in captivity. In order to know whether it is legal for an individual to own an armadillo or not, said individuals should check with all pertinent state and local officials before they try to own or house an armadillo.

Some individuals may have been given legal permission to do so. If this is the case and you have obtained your animal from an ethical supplier, then you should be good to go. However, keep in mind that these creatures typically do not make ideal pets and are nocturnal beings. They like to sleep when you are awake, and make lots of racket while you are asleep. They often will be found wandering around the house late at night and bumping into things. These creatures also have a musky smell that some people have voiced concern about.

There are a few reports of armadillos being kept as pets in the past; however these reviews are of mixed opinions. Some people said that they enjoyed keeping armadillos as a pet while others said that the odor and other habits of the animal were unpleasant to deal with. One place where armadillos can be found quite often being kept as pets is in certain parts of South America. The sad truth however, is that these pets are also occasionally eaten by their owners.

Keeping an armadillo in captivity without a permit can lead to serious legal trouble in many parts of the country. Permits that are obtained to keep armadillos are not typically issued to prospective pet owners. Checking with your local wildlife department for information on the legal status of these creatures as pets in your area is your best bet if it is something you are seriously considering.

Armadillos are able to swim. In fact they are excellent swimmers, enjoy swimming and can stay under water for long periods of time. They are able to hold their breath underwater for 6 to 8 minutes. This creature does so by gulping in water until it gets heavy enough to sink, and then breathes in air in order to float back up to the top of the surface.

When the creature must cross a stream or a pond, it compensates for the excess weight of its plates by partaking in the gulping process. This inflates its intestines which makes the armadillo buoyant enough to swim short distances. If gulping additional air does not work for the creature, the armadillo can simply walk across the bottom of the stream or pond. Bodies of water are no problem for this creature. These animals are strong at paddling and their ability to cross streams and ponds with such ease has helped them expand their home range.