The state of Alabama is blessed with an abundance of wildlife diversity – deer, turkeys, fish, birds, butterflies, etc. But not all wildlife are looked upon favorably or as welcomed residents. Of all the wildlife-related calls the county Extension offices receive, the No. 1 complaint tends to be about armadillos. Yes, I’m referring to those “possums on the half-shell.”  Those critters that like to wander into backyards at night and dig holes in the lawn, garden and flowers beds. They are nuisance animals that cause unsightly damage and give homeowners headaches.  

There are approximately 20 species of armadillo worldwide, but only one species is found in the United States: the nine-banded armadillo. Not native to Alabama, armadillos were first seen around Mobile County in the 1940s, having  expanded from Texas. They continued moving north and are now likely in every Alabama county except some of the northeastern mountainous areas.