What to do if you find an injured or orphaned armadillo in North Carolina

Help, I found a armadillo! Do this FIRST

Nine banded armadillos are becoming increasingly common in North Carolina. They may look unusual, but seeing a healthy armadillo walking, digging, or foraging does not necessarily mean it needs help. Nine banded armadillos are now confirmed in areas across North Carolina and are considered a nongame species in the state.

What to do RIGHT NOW:

If the armadillo is visibly injured, unable to move normally, or has been struck by a vehicle, Contact us IMMEDIATELY! Call or text CWCC right away at 980-389-1133 (leave a voicemail)
DO NOT FEED OR GIVE WATER
Keep a distance and keep pets/people away
Limit noise and handling
Do not chase, corner, or handle the armadillo.
If you believe you have found an orphaned baby, contact us before intervening.
Do not attempt to relocate an armadillo to another property.

What NOT to do:

Do NOT feed
Do NOT give water
Do NOT try to care for them overnight

In North Carolina, armadillos trapped because they are causing property damage cannot simply be transported elsewhere and released. State wildlife regulations prohibit relocation of armadillos and a number of other mammals under these circumstances.

I found a baby armadillo. Is it orphaned?

Not necessarily.

Young wildlife should not automatically be assumed to be orphaned simply because an adult is not visible. If the baby appears alert, uninjured, and is in a safe location, observe from a distance and contact a wildlife rehabilitator before removing it.

Do not attempt to raise an armadillo yourself. Possession and care of native wildlife are regulated in North Carolina, and wildlife rehabilitation requires specialized knowledge and appropriate permits.

A baby armadillo may need help if:

Its mother is confirmed dead nearby.
It has been hit by a vehicle.
It is bleeding or has an obvious wound.
It cannot stand or walk normally.
It appears extremely weak or unresponsive.
It has been attacked by a dog or other animal.
It is persistently approaching people or remaining in an exposed location and you are concerned about its condition.

There is an armadillo digging in my yard. Does it need to be removed?

If an armadillo is living around your property:

Remove accessible pet food.
Secure trash and food waste.
Do not intentionally feed it.
Keep pets supervised, particularly at night.
Allow the animal an escape route rather than cornering it.
Address attractants rather than attempting to move the animal.

Usually, no.

Armadillos spend much of their time searching the ground for food, and their natural foraging behavior can result in holes or disturbed soil. Seeing an armadillo digging does not mean that it is sick or aggressive.

About Nine Banded Armadillos

The nine banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is the only armadillo species established in the United States. Its range has gradually expanded northward, and the species is now documented across parts of North Carolina.

They are easily recognized by their:

Armor-like body covering
Long, pointed snout
Large ears
Long, scaly tail
Habit of slowly wandering and sniffing the ground while searching for food

Despite the name “nine-banded,” the number of movable bands across the middle of the shell can vary.

What happens after you call?

Our dedicated team of highly trained professionals will help you assess the situation. We will ask you basic questions like your location and the status of the animal.

We will guide you step by step along the way and provide you with expert advice. You are NOT expected to handle this on your own!

If we determine that help is needed for the animal, we will work with you to arrange care.