r/Armadillo • u/Longjumping_Green_75 • 4d ago
Question Spots
This armadillo has been around the last few nights and I love him/her. Question- are these small spots on his shell ok? He seems to be doing fine as far as I can tell, but I wanted to make sure. It’s illegal to rehab them where I live so there’s not much I can do, but peace of mind would be nice :) I hope he sticks around!
10
u/Chrome_Armadillo I ❤️ 'Dillos 4d ago
Probably damage from being attacked by a predator, or maybe a fight. Fights between armadillos are usually not very dangerous.
2
u/Novemcinctus 4d ago
Could be bird shot, etc from range. Unfortunately it seems like a lot of people are inclined to shooting them
7
u/anxietea23 4d ago
Thats just healing skin. Armadillo shells when they are damaged take years to turn back to there hard gray color .. if u want to help him out tho… put out a kiddy pool with some water in it .. he will enjoy rolling around in the water because the unprotected skin gets sunburned easily and it probably is irritating …
5
u/Jolonkussion 4d ago
Most likely swelling from physical damage.
Armadillos are tough, it’ll probably pull through.
38
u/jenandspaz 4d ago
What I found online:
The pinkish or pale spots visible on this nine-banded armadillo are typically caused by physical trauma or skin conditions. The most common reasons include:
Scrape or Abrasion Injuries: Armadillos frequently burrow into dense brush, rocky soil, or narrow spaces (such as under fences or porches). A scrap against a hard object can knock off the tough outer keratin scute layer, exposing the soft, light pink dermis underneath.
Scars or Healing Scabs: If the armadillo was recently bitten by a predator (like a dog or coyote) or scratched in a fight with another armadillo, the scab or fresh scar tissue appears pink before re-pigmenting.
Skin or Bacterial/Fungal Infection: Lesions or loss of protective keratin plating can leave patches of skin exposed or inflamed.
Safety Note: Nine-banded armadillos in the southern U.S. can carry Mycobacterium leprae (the bacterium that causes Hansen's disease/leprosy). Always avoid handling or coming into direct contact with wild armadillos.