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The Mighty Armadillo
Written By: Winter Gary | Issue: 2021/03 – March
Thanks to milder winters, Armadillos have ambled onto the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
Like many, we are thrilled to finally have 2020 behind us. Last year not only ‘gifted’ us with a global pandemic but, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it was the hottest year on record for global land temperatures. When land and sea temperatures were considered, 2020 came just 0.04 degrees Fahrenheit (0.02 degrees Celsius) shy of tying 2016 for warmest year on record – a minute difference if you ask me.
While record temperatures are impressive, other impacts of climate change are slower and considerably smaller. For instance, as the climate warms, North Carolina and many other states have been experiencing milder winters, and one critter in particular seems to be responding – the Nine-banded Armadillo.
Native to Central and South America, the Nine-banded Armadillo migrated to the southern U.S. in the 19th century and has rapidly expanded its range both north and east. While its armored exterior helps protect it from potential predators, its lack of insulating fat and inability to hibernate make it vulnerable to harsh winters. As winters become more mild in many states, the armadillos are able to survive in areas that may not have been suitable for them in the past; areas such as Western North Carolina and the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
The first documented sighting of this armored mammal in North Carolina occurred in 2008. Since then, sightings have been reported in almost half the counties in the state. Staff at the Highlands Nature Center have received several calls in the last year regarding armadillo sightings in Highlands and surrounding areas, so there is a chance you may see one as well.
If you spot an armadillo in North Carolina, you can snap a photo and upload it, along with the sighting location, to inaturalist.org as part of the NC Armadillo Project. This project’s goal is to help the NC Wildlife Resources Commission determine the range of Nine-banded Armadillos in the state so keep your eyes peeled!
For more information, visit inaturalist.org/projects/nc-armadillo or contact us at (828) 526-2623. The Highlands Nature Center is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.
