I fail to see the problem
How climate change and population growth are helping armadillos move into more areas of NC
They are here, they are expanding, and they’re not going anywhere.
But is the arrival of the nine-banded armadillo in North Carolina, now going on nearly 15 years since they were first reported, necessarily a bad thing?
While researchers are still gathering information, armadillos don’t appear to be causing the widespread ecological problem that other non-native and invasive species can cause when they show up in a new environment, said Colleen Offenbuttel, a biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
“So far, the main concern about armadillos in North Carolina is property damage,” she said, noting that the burrowing animals can leave plenty of holes on lawns and in gardens as they hunt for insects.
They are mostly out in Western NC, with scattered reports elsewhere. Though, a lot of reports (11-30) here in Wake County. I haven’t seen one yet. Bummer. Of course, since some carry leprosy, I’ll keep my distance
But conjure up a picture of an armadillo, and most people probably think of an arid desert-like setting in Texas or even Mexico, not the lush, green forests and fields of the American South.
So why are they here? In short, because North Carolina is turning into perfect armadillo habitat.
“First, it just reflects their growing population in other states,” Olfenbuttel said of the armadillos’ natural dispersal as males seek new territory and females then follow. Populations of armadillos are already well-established in South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.
Then there’s North Carolina’s increasing population, mostly centered in growing metros, that’s creating perfect armadillo buffets of yards, golf courses and gardens teeming with bugs ? especially fire ants, a delicacy for armadillos ? and other invertebrates that the animals love to eat.
Life is always moving and changing on Earth
But an even bigger reason for the armadillos successful migration into the Tar Heel State likely has to do with our changing weather thanks to climate change.
According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seasonality report published in late 2021, all seasons have warmed in the U.S., with winter temperatures increasing by nearly 3 degrees Fahrenheit since 1896.
See, this would have been an interesting story about armadillos spreading, but, of course the Cult had to drop this stuff into the mix.
Read: Your Fault: Global Boiling Causing Armadillos To Spread In NC »
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