The only armadillo native to the United States is the nine-banded.

Armadillos are the only mammal other than humans to carry a specific strain of leprosy.

The armadillo's closest animal relative is the anteater.

Hoping to spot an armadillo in Tennessee? There's three places to look, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency.

The critters can be found in the state's southern and western regions.

And, the third?

"Unfortunately, armadillo are most commonly spotted along roadsides after being hit by motor vehicles," the wildlife agency's website said.

Resembling a battle-ready opossum, the armadillo is a fairly new resident of the Volunteer State. According to the wildlife agency, they only reached Tennessee about 35 years ago, slowly migrating in from the west.

Here's what t

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