Should You Keep an Armadillo as a Pet?

Of the 20 species of armadillo in the wild, only a few are kept as pets in the United States, and each has its own unique characteristics. Armadillos are not domesticated pets like cuddly ferrets or puppies; they are wild animals that can be challenging to care for in captivity as they need space to roam and dig, and are active at night.

The most commonly seen type of pet armadillo is the three-banded armadillo, which includes both the Brazilian and southern types. Native to South America, it is the only species of armadillo that can roll into the classic ball that you picture when you think about the animal.

The screaming hairy armadillo is the name for another armadillo kept as a pet, but it is less popular than the three-banded variety. Its name comes from the noise this armadillo makes when handled or threatened, and it also goes by several names, including the screaming armadillo, the dwarf screaming armadillo (due to its small size), the crying armadillo, and the small hairy armadillo. The last type of armadillo that you might happen upon as a pet is the big hairy armadillo, which is the largest of the three pet species.

Can You Own a Pet Armadillo?

Legality 

If you do decide that you want an armadillo as a pet, check your local laws first. Armadillos are wild animals, and their status varies from state to state. If your state allows you to own one, and if you're prepared to make your home fit for a burrowing, insect-eating, eight-acre roaming, nocturnal armadillo, be sure to follow all of the local rules for keeping exotic pets.

Ethics

Like with all pets, it's important to consider whether you can provide a pet armadillo with everything they need to thrive before adopting or purchasing one. Armadillos need a great deal of care and require unique habitats and environments, so it will take a good amount of your time, energy, and resources to care for one properly. Making sure you're aware of (and up to) the commitment of ownership is key to ethically acquiring an armadillo.

Things to Consider

Armadillos are nocturnal creatures, so you should make sure you have a spot in your home where they can be allowed to enjoy their nighttime activities undisturbed. If the only option is keeping your armadillo in your bedroom, that might to be a good option for you or them.

Armadillo Behavior and Temperament

Armadillos are generally solitary creatures—in the wild, they only socialize to mate and to raise their young. Therefore, keeping multiple armadillos together can lead to clashes. They are often active at night and need room to roam; cover eight acres of roaming in their territory when out in the wild. They require deep soil to burrow in, along with insects to forage.

If raised in a human environment from a young age, pet armadillos can actually be quite affectionate and calm. They can enjoy being petted or sitting on your lap. However, even a tame armadillo raised in captivity from birth can do some damage to you or your flooring material with its sharp claws as it tries to dig for bugs. Additionally, they can walk on their hind legs, using only their front claws to aid them in balancing. While it may seem fun to make your armadillo curl up in a ball, that's actually a defensive posture for the animal and indicates that it's under duress.

Housing

Armadillos cannot be comfortably cared for inside a house due to their natural odor which is strong and musky. In warm climates, an armadillo must be kept in a large outdoor enclosure that provides both sun and shade. A small wading pool is a welcome addition as well.

If you live in a cold climate, you will likely have to bring your pet indoors for the winter. However, since armadillos need space to forage and will usually become destructive inside the home, winter home living with this warm-climate species is a near impossibility unless you have an insulated barn or other spacious enclosure. In general, armadillos need their environment to be consistently above 71 degrees Fahrenheit at all times in order to live comfortably.

Specific Substrate Needs

Armadillos enjoy burrowing in the soft ground. If you're not keeping your pet somewhere where this is naturally available to them, make sure you provide large mounds of mulch or mulch mixed with wood chips in which they can burrow.

What Do Armadillos Eat & Drink?

Much like their cousins the sloths and anteaters, armadillos eat insects and small invertebrates like earthworms. If given the chance, armadillos will also eat fruit, eggs, sweet potatoes, and other small vegetables. If you keep an armadillo in an appropriate enclosure, it will use its strong front digging claws to find much of its own food. Check with your exotic animal veterinarian for specific foods to provide your armadillo. Like any pet, armadillos also need constant access to fresh, clean, and clear, non-chlorinated water.

Armadillos have a slow metabolism so some people worry that their pets aren't eating enough—however, your pet most likely has a normal appetite. They also don't have many teeth, so if they are eating something other than worms and insects, it must be made soft.

Common Health Problems

Armadillos are one of the few animals known to carry the bacteria that causes leprosy in humans, though cases of bacterial transmission are rare. Little is known about other diseases that are a threat to armadillos, however, they can also transmit rabies.

Veterinary care is hard to find for these unique animals. Note that armadillos are prone to frostbite due to their slow metabolism. It may be hard even for a veterinarian to spot signs of frostbite on an animal whose outer layering is structured to keep most of its soft tissue hidden.

Exercise 

If kept in the proper environment, armadillos will fulfill all their exercise needs on their own. Many zoos also provide their armadillos with exercise wheels, which can also be an option for your pet if you have the necessary room.

Grooming 

Armadillos are well-known for their armored plates, which cover the majority of their body. These plates are made of keratin, the same material that your fingernails are made of, and they protect these small mammals from predators by covering their bellies when they curl into themselves. Because of this, armadillos do not need any human grooming, including bathing. However, if you notice the appearance of your armadillo's plates changing in any way (color, peeling, etc.), make sure to let your vet know immediately.

Training Your Armadillo

While armadillos can be sweet and affectionate, they are not particularly known for their intelligence, and thus are not trainable. The most you can expect is an armadillo that is content with being held and pet, which comes with human exposure from a young age. Beyond that, do not expect your pet armadillos to learn any tricks or retain any training.

Purchasing Your Armadillo

You will not want to adopt a wild or adult armadillo, as it will be very difficult to care for and train. Expect to pay $2,000 to $3,000 for a bred and hand-tamed, baby armadillo. Make sure you're purchasing your pet through an accredited breeder, and inquire as to whether they have the proper certificates in place that allow for legal resale in your state or town.

Similar Pets to the Armadillo

If you’re interested in pets similar to an armadillo, check out:

• Anteater Species Profile
• Sloth Species Profile
• Racoon Species Profile

Otherwise, check out other exotic animals that can be your pet.