If you hear people talk about armadillos in Indiana, you might think they’re describing a few that strayed into our state, or you might assume the cat-sized beasts are just a curiosity.

The truth is, the nine-banded armadillos entering Indiana in increasing numbers can have a serious long-term impact on the state’s ecosystems and a more immediate impact on forests, farms, backyards and homes. For these reasons, Indiana needs a plan for dealing with these four-legged invasives.

Indiana is becoming more hospitable to armadillos

The armadillos’ journey to Indiana has been a long one. Native to South America, they found their way across the Rio Grande in the mid-1800s, spreading slowly east and north but usually staying in warmer areas.

Armadillos are foragers that dig for shelter and food

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