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four males from a single egg. Each baby is a
genetically identical quadruplet. They rest
on a bed of leaves and grass that their
mother has gathered, balanced on her hind
paws and lowered into the |
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burrow, tail first. That
tail is highly sensitive and feels its way
for her.
Yet, the staff at the Alligator Creek
Preserve on Burnt Store Road had never
really witnessed the above facts. We had
frequently watched adult dillos
single-mindedly searching the soil for
insect sustenance. We had even spotted
spring mating chases. Now, can honestly
pronounce that we have seen the offspring! |
We got a call in the administrative office late one
afternoon. It was Martha calling from the Education
Building across the compound. The baby armadillos
were feeding around the boardwalk to the Watershed
Resource Center.
We knew that momma had a nest under that building,
because Betty and Jamie (the CHEC ladies who worked
in that office) had reported spotting four tiny
miniatures of mamma emerging from under the raised
portable earlier in the week. Now we all had the
chance to abandon computers, faxes and phones to
gape at the grazing youngsters thanks to the alert
call from Betty’s teen-age son Joe (who volunteered
to do maintenance tasks that day). He was working on
fixing the trailer lights behind the building when
he heard rustling in the leaf litter and spread the
word for all to witness nature’s display.
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Four six-inch
armored mammals busily burrowed snouts into
the earth. They were oblivious to seven
looming shadows watching with delight. Our
conversation, interspersed with louder
laughter, never deterred these quads from
their mission to appease hunger.
Visitors to the Alligator Creek site often
see the leathery, peg-toothed one
foraging along the trail. This animal's
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of shell-like plates layered
with thick hide are supported from stem to
stern (scapula to pelvis, actually) by an
intervening set of nine hoops which allow
the critter to twist and turn, just as the
folds of an accordion allow that instrument
to be squeezed and expanded. |
One might think that this armored knight is well
equipped for jousting, but they are docile creatures
who would rather flee than fight, often in a zigzag
pattern to elude enemies. But if you are quiet when
approaching an armadillo, they will continue their
frantic feeding unaware of your presence.
Unfortunately, when they are suddenly startled they
jump straight up in the air, which frequently causes
their demise on the undercarriage of a vehicle that
may actually be attempting to avoid hitting the
critter.
To cross a stream or pond, the armadillo walks
across the bottom as their specific gravity is
heavier than water and they can hold their breath
for up to six minutes. When a larger body of water
needs to be traversed, the “armored tanks" will jump
in and dog paddle furiously keeping their snouts
above water. Eventually their digestive tract
inflates with air so they can float. The longer they
stay in the water, the higher they float.
What incredible little creatures. We finally met the
whole family. Happy Trails! 
Please click here for additional information
or if you would like to contact the
author of this article, Monica Dorken. Thank you!
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