There are armadillos all over East Tennessee, including in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We need your help tracking down the armored creatures. UT Chattanooga’s Dr. Tim Gaudin has been studying an armored invader from the south for more than a decade.

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When did armadillos come to TN?

Nine-banded armadillos first appeared in Tennessee in the early 1980s, according to a study conducted by University of Tennessee at Chattanooga professors Timothy Gaudin and S. Erich Eichler.

Are armadillos native to TN?

However, the story of their genesis is crystal clear, and it’s a bit surprising. Armadillos, particularly the nine-banded armadillo, are often associated with Texas. These creatures actually hail from Central America and are related to the anteater and three-toed sloth.

What armadillo is in Tennessee?

Dasypus novemcinctus, the Nine-Banded Armadillo.

Are armadillos native or invasive?

It is because they were introduced by humans and quickly multiplied that they are considered an invasive species. Throughout the state, they had spread by the early 1950s. There has been an increase in the number of encounters between armadillos and humans due to the state’s expanding armadillo population in recent decades.

Are armadillos in Kentucky?

It turns out that armadillos are frequently seen in Kentucky. The nine-banded armadillo, the type that we have here in the United States, is a native of Central and South America. In Scott Shupe’s estimations, their range continues to expand.

Can you shoot armadillos in TN?

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) spokesman Doug Markham says that’s not a problem because nine-banded armadillos can be hunted and killed year-round. The same as any other animal, Markham said. However, they aren’t a real threat here because they will compete with the existing fauna for food.

Are armadillos in East Tennessee?

There are armadillos all over East Tennessee, including in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We need your help tracking down the armored creatures. UT Chattanooga’s Dr. Tim Gaudin has been studying an armored invader from the south for more than a decade.

Do armadillos hibernate in Tennessee?

Cold weather impedes their migration. In order to survive, armadillos do not go into hibernation and must be fed constantly. When the ground freezes over for an extended period of time, they die of hypothermia.

Are there Fisher Cats in Tennessee?

Fishers were once common in northeastern Tennessee, but the region has been decimated by over 200 years of intensive trapping and logging activities. In 2002, Cumberland County was reintroduced to the musk-scented weasel family of carnivores.

Can armadillos hurt you?

Wild animals should be treated with respect and caution, but the average armadillo is not particularly dangerous. If handled incorrectly, they can inflict serious injury with their powerful claws, but in the vast majority of cases, they will flee if threatened.