Nine Banded Armadillo

Scientific Name
Dasypus novemcinctus
Also Known As
Armored Pig, Hoover Hog
Range
All of Florida
Diet
Grubs, Beetles, Ants, Termites
Life Expectancy
5 - 7 Years
The Nine-banded Armadillo

Photo 4238749 (c) Bridget Spencer, CC BY-NC

Nine Banded Armadillo conservation status - Least Concern

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Green Iguanas in Central Florida

The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is a unique, armored mammal found throughout central Florida. Often seen rooting along roadsides or foraging in yards, armadillos are one of the more familiar exotic species in the region. This guide covers key identification features, biology, impacts, and control methods for nine-banded armadillos in central Florida.

Appearance and Identification

Nine-banded armadillos can be identified by their bony, armor-like shell and distinctively long, tapering snout.

Adult Nine-banded Armadillo

Photo 270561456 (c) Jim ONeill, CC BY-NC

Adult Nine-Banded Armadillos

  • Size: Adults reach 24-32 inches (61-81 cm) in length, including the tail, and weigh 8-17 lbs (3.6-7.7 kg).
  • Shell: The shell is comprised of overlapping bony plates covered in tough skin. It is divided into three sections with flexible joints in-between. Nine moveable bands allow the shell to flex so the armadillo can roll into a ball.
  • Color: Can range from yellow or tan to brown or gray. The head, limbs, and underside are lighter in color.
  • Snout: Distinctively long, tapering snout used for digging. It houses a sticky tongue good for catching ants, beetles, and other prey.
  • Claws: Very large, sharp claws on front feet used for tearing into ant mounds and grubbing soil.
  • Eyes: Small, beady eyes lacking peripheral vision. They rely heavily on smell and hearing due to poor eyesight.
  • Tail: Long, thick tail that stores fat and balances the rear when hopping.
  • Scent Glands: Ability to mark territory with strong-smelling secretions from scent glands under the shell.
Juvenile Nine-banded Armadillo

Photo 75582556 © cuali, CC BY-NC

Juvenile Nine-Banded Armadillos

  • Size: Newborns are just 4-5 inches (10-13 cm) long, weighing 3-4 ounces (85-113 grams). They reach 10 inches (25 cm) by six weeks old.
  • Shell: The soft, leathery shell is pinkish in color. It does not fully harden and develop distinct bands until adulthood.
  • Snout: The snout is proportionally longer compared to adults.

Maturation Rate

The bony shell takes 8-10 weeks to fully harden after birth. Sexual maturity is reached by one year old. Adults continue growing until age three when they reach their maximum size.