Pages

▼

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

{We saw FOUR Armadillos at Lunch Time!}

Wow, just now when reading about Armadillos I know that I've risked something. First of all, these nine-banded Armadillos do have  four genetically identical quadruplets being born in each litter. AHA, that's why we spotted four! For quite a while we noticed the damage they did to our lawn, digging up the grass in search for grubs and other insects. They also make burrows in which you easily can step and trip. When I rushed outside with my camera to capture them, I had a hard time, as they move so fast!
The North American Nine-banded Armadillo tends to jump straight in the air when startled, and consequently often collides with the undercarriage or fenders of passing vehicles. In this case, one of them scared me when I tried to lift it up with one hand, in order to get a better shot from its face. It jumped straight up under me, I kind of sat squatted down. No luck for a close-up shot while being held... Today I read about this 'jumping up' in the above link (click on Armadillos at the top):
Humans can acquire a leprosy infection from armadillos by handling them or consuming armadillo meat, and are a presumed vector and natural reservoir for the disease in Texas and Louisiana. See link below post for more about the Leprosy STIGMA and our Leprosy Project.
Next time I know better!
Funny ears they have and indeed, they are nine-banded. But look this one has an X to the left in its bands!
 It was nearly impossible to capture them on camera. I do better with our cats...
Hind sight...
We spotted four with our eyes but when I hurried outside I only managed to get TWO before the camera lens...
Boy, were they in a hurry!

Related link:
{World Leprosy Day} | previous post by me
{My 8th Blog Award - Sunshine from Japan} | previous post by me mentioning our fight for the underdog

at

23 comments:

  1. Draffin BearsJuly 5, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    Dear Mariette,

    How neat to see the Armadillos in your garden. I have only ever seen them on TV or in books.
    Interesting looking and thanks for sharing this post.

    Happy week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Johanna GehrleinJuly 5, 2011 at 2:13 AM

    Dear Mariette,
    your wonderful garden is a paradise for many animals. I understand why these Armadillos like to live there. I didn't knew either that one can acquire a leprosy infection from armadillos by handling them. Is that possible to get leprosy in USA? Hope you will not be infected! But these animals are quite interesting.
    Best greetings, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's meJuly 5, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    Wat geweldig !!!..ik heb er nog nooit een gezien....nu wel hihih!!...vind ze ook een beetje eng......liefs van mij...xxx..

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownJuly 5, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    whahahahahaha Mariette, ik zie je rennen dacht die "dingen"aan.....maar mn volgende gedachte is... "ieuw".....nee dank je;)

    Liefs,
    Lynda

    ReplyDelete
  5. CatherineJuly 5, 2011 at 7:59 AM

    Hello dearest Mariette!

    I did not know Armadillos should not be handled or eaten. I will keep that in mind the next time I see one. Though I suspect there aren't too many of them running around the prairies of Saskatchewan. Just lots of gophers. ;)

    Hope you are having a happy week friend!
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  6. orchid0324July 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Oh, MY!!!
    What a shot, you always surprise me with many new things for me.
    They live southern part of America and appear in your precious yard. I've heard about gophers but not armadillos. God, they might have bad influence for us. Please WATCH OUT!!!

    ps> thank you for your sweet comments and also for my hubby's link. I replied for you there♡♡♡

    Hugs and lots of Love, xoxo Orchid

    ReplyDelete
  7. Pamela GordonJuly 5, 2011 at 10:43 AM

    Hi Mariette, thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a sweet comment. I am faily new to blogging (almost 1 year) and still don't know all the ins and outs of it so I thank you for your help and will give it a go and see if it helps. We are having sunny and very hot weather today so I'm staying cool in the basement at the computer for now. Have a blessed week. Pamela in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AdyJuly 5, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    che impressione vedere un armadillo dal vivo! baci ady

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rose M. RodriguezJuly 5, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Mariette Hello, how are you. I have not felt too well, but continuous. I have left two awards on my blog .... elartderosia armadillos look so curious, I'm always struck by his "armor." greetings, Rose Mri

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Hello Mariette, I'm so glad you stopped by and cooled down a bit with the White Christmas in July Blog Party post. ;)

    I sure hope you can join us on the 21st. Link-up will go up on the July 20th. I'm sure you'd have something wonderful to share.

    Clicked on your follow and look forward to more visits.
    Much love!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    Actually, I was already on your google follow so I added you to my sidebar blogroll so I don't miss a thing. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJuly 5, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Cute and interesting animal!

    Have a nice day, kisses:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rozen van papierJuly 5, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Hallo Mariette, wat een bijzondere dieren zo vlakbij! Zijn ze gevaarlijk voor mensen?

    groetjes Janny

    ReplyDelete
  14. VictoriaJuly 5, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Oh my gosh, you are brave Mariette! I think I'd be too scared of them to get close enough to take a pic. I had no idea they jumped up like that! Great pics though:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. jadeJuly 5, 2011 at 2:56 PM

    Oh, sind die süüüüüß, liebe Mariette - das sind ja wundervolle Aufnahmen!!! Es ist immer wieder überaus beeindruckend, wenn man scheuen Wildtieren so nahe kommt.......wir treffen neben den vielen Hasen und Rehen auch schon mal einen Biber oder Dachs. Eine herrliche Woche und allerliebste Grüße,

    herzlichst Jade

    ReplyDelete
  16. Elisabeth PalzkillJuly 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Liebe Mariette,

    ich freue mich täglich auf einen
    Besuch bei dir. Es ist immer lohnenswert.

    Liebe Grüße
    Angela und Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
  17. jadeJuly 5, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    :))))) Ja das stimmt, ich freu mich jetzt mal wieder auf ein gaaaaanz gemütliches Bad (mit Lavendel)!!! Und bei uns heißt es dann schon bald good night, es wird schon dunkel!!!

    Herzlichst Jade

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownJuly 5, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    Wat apart om deze dieren zo in je tuin tegen te komen...
    Leuk om ze zo op de foto te zien!
    Groetjes,
    Nicole

    ReplyDelete
  19. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️July 5, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I've never seen an armadillo alive.
    I've only seen them dead on the side of the road in the South.
    They are strange and different looking.
    You got some really good pictures of them.

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hold my hand: a social worker's blogJuly 5, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Dearest Mariette,
    What an interesting information--and what a brave lady you are...I wouldn't attempt to grab one of those God's creatures. I think they are cute, but at the distance :-))

    (((( hugs )))))

    Doris

    ReplyDelete
  21. SusanJuly 5, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    OMG, Mariette...Those little critters would have scared the bazookers out of me. Pick one up? Not on your life.I would have been running---fast---in the other direction. YOu are BRAVE.

    Thanks for all your visits to my blog and your comments, too. So happy when you visit. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  22. UnknownDecember 20, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    Cara Mariette,non ho mai visto questo piccolo animale...........,grazie per averlo condiviso,oggi ho imparato una cosa in più.......!!
    Ti abbraccio forte forte cara amica,augurando a te e alla tua famiglia,un Sereno e Felice Natale!!
    Tanti tanti auguriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!
    Sabry!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownNovember 6, 2016 at 3:34 PM

    Ooooo, i didnt know that�� but i will never eat them as i dont like to eat animal like this kond, its so cruel. I think only those local people from the jungle eat them( or chnese!! That's why they had SARs) and the got immune to their meat! Very interesting, i never know USA has this little guy���� Thank you for letting me know ❤️

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...