Armadillo Capture By Hand

06.09.2004 - I captured this small armadillo by hand. I was at an armadillo trapping job, when I noticed this dillo scurrying through the underbrush. I chased after it, and despite its attempts to escape via short and quick erratic hops, I was able to get my hands around it and pick it up. I don't think I would have been able to do so if this were an adult armadillo. The young ones have a softer, more flexible shell, as you can see in the above photo. Adult armadillos have much harder shells, and thus are hard to hold. In addition, adult armadillos are much heavier and stronger and faster. Luckily, capture by hand is not the usual or preferred method for armadillo removal. I usually just set traps, and trap and remove the critters. In fact, it's very rare to even spot an armadillo during the day, because they sleep most of the time, and they are primarily nocturnal. If you do see one, it's probably nearby one of its many burrows, so it will likely make an escape before you can even get near it. However, I was able to catch this little guy.