Nine-banded armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus are the only species of the animal found in the U.S. They have mostly lived in the southeastern part of the country but over the last century have steadily migrated northward. They are omnivores whose diets are mostly insects, invertebrates, small reptiles, eggs and small mammals.
Some southern armadillos are naturally infected with the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae that causes Hansen’s disease, leprosy, in humans.”
Armadillos’ natural predators can include predominately coyotes plus bobcats, alligators and sometimes large raptors. Vehicles are the biggest threats to armadillos. Armadillos’ eyes don’t shine in the dark the way a raccoon’s or deer’s eyes do and are frequently impossible to spot at night <Link>.
Source: AXIOS, April 23, 2023. Link.
INSIGHTS: Armadillos are also treated as food by some communities. Their meat is consumed in Mexico, Central and South America and sometimes used as a substitute for pork.