Photographing a Nine-banded Armadillo at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge yesterday was one of the highlights of a morning well spent at the refuge.
Nine-banded Armadillo in a field at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/1250, ISO 800, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
My friend Steve Creek spotted the armadillo out in a field, and as soon as we stopped, we started taking photos of it rooting around in the dirt. This field was control-burned about two weeks ago, and fresh green shoots have already started to sprout.
This was my first opportunity to photograph a Nine-banded Armadillo at the refuge. I’d seen a few dead ones and a couple too far away to photograph, but this one was close and cooperative.
Nine-banded Armadillo close up at Sequoyah NWR, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f11, 1/1000, ISO 1250, Canon RF 800mm, natural light
Armadillos are strange looking critters, but I sure enjoy having them in my viewfinder! Their armored appearance, strong nails, long snouts, and tiny little eyes fascinate me.
Nine-banded Armadillos are fascinating because they are the only mammals with a shell, they always give birth to identical quadruplets of the same sex. Armadillos primarily eat small invertebrates, which they find by foraging in forest litter and digging in soft soil. They may also consume some fruits, small reptiles, amphibians, and bird eggs.
One time in Florida, I was sitting on the ground at Honeymoon Island State Park when a Nine-banded Armadillo almost crawled onto my lap. They have poor eyesight, so I’m guessing it never even saw me! My friend Patty photographed the whole thing. I stood up before it could actually get on my lap!
The Nine-banded Armadillo I photographed yesterday showed no interest in climbing onto my lap—thank goodness.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Nine-banded Armadillo photos plus facts and information about this species.
It is lovely to be back and seeing the wonders you share. Thank you.
EC, it is good to see you back!
That’s a sweet face! Thank you for sharing this 9-banded lovely!
They certainly are peculiar creatures. Thanks as usual for the information, as well as the great photos.
They are cute until they rototill your vegetable garden. Or you get the lawnmower stuck in one of their holes.