Some examples of housing include a modified room, dog pen, or even a stock tank. Commercial cages will not provide everything an armadillo needs so some innovation will be needed. This can be present ideally throughout the enclosure or in a separate structure like a bin, using a ramp to make it accessible. This can be sand, small animal bedding, hay, and any other non-toxic substrate. In the armadillo enclosure, a deep layer of substrate for digging should be prioritized. With armadillos, this is even more important because they require specialized environments in order to carry out species-specific behaviors paramount to their welfare. One of the most critical factors for raising alternative and demanding pets in captivity is the right enclosure. Armadillos are not legal in many states, so it is very important to check with your local and state-wide authorities to ensure they can be owned without a license. There is the highly unlikely possibility that armadillos will transmit leprosy to humans, however it is very uncommon for them to have it to start with and it is more likely humans will give the disease to them. Unfortunately, not many people get the choice to undertake caring for these animals due to misguided laws. “Nine-banded armadillo” by Robert Nunnally is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Legality of Armadillos This is the only native species of armadillo and subsequently, their North American native status will affect their legality in most, if not all states. The most widespread species in the wild but not often owned as a pet. They are also an exotic species which is good for states that prohibit keeping native wildlife. This species is probably the best ‘pet’ candidate for the typical exotic pet owner and they are the most common species kept by zoos, as they are the easiest to breed.
One of the smaller species occasionally seen. In general, they are rare animals to come across, so a responsible breeder needs to be located. There are four species of armadillo that are regularly available in the pet trade. First time armadillo owners should seek advice from other owners and preferably be experienced with other ‘zoological’ pets, although a well-informed and practical owner should be able to have success. As house pets, armadillos will require more space than what traditional pet owners are used to and their behavior will need to be assessed for proper welfare. Keeping armadillos is not really ‘hard’ unless an owner is expecting the swift adaptability of popular small domestic pets.
“Armadillo” by David Shane is licensed under CC BY 2.0Īrmadillos are not pets for pet owners who are not used to or unwilling to adapt to the specialized needs of zoological non-domesticated animals. Only one species, the three-banded armadillo, is capable of rolling itself completely into a ball.
They are mainly insectivorous and love to dig, which they use to locate prey and for creating burrows in which they reside. Their characteristic shell is composed of a leathery substance composed of dermal bone. What are armadillos?Īrmadillos are somewhat related to anteaters and sloths, being in the suborder Xenarthra. Is an armadillo the right pet for you? As you might have guessed, these animals are not popular pets in captivity, but they can be successfully owned by the right owner if they are legal in their state. One of the most obvious is their ability to roll into a ball, which was comically featured in the animated film The Road to El Dorado. These animals not only have a strange appearance, but they also maneuver differently and have unusual behavior. Armadillos are strikingly unique creatures, so it’s no surprise that some people are interested in keeping them as pets.
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