Are Armadillos Dangerous? What You Need to Know

Armadillos are unquestionably cute little creatures, with a hard shell around them like armor for protection. But if you have ever seen one ambling around your yard or crossing the road, then you probably paused for a while and asked yourself the question, “Are armadillos dangerous?” Wander in to find out what you should know about these quirky creatures: are they harmful to you, your pets, or maybe even your dinner plate.

Are Armadillos Dangerous to Humans?

Basically, armadillos do not pose a threat to human beings. These shy creatures will do more to avoid you than come closer to you. So if you see one roaming around your yard or in the wild, chances are it would run away or bury itself into the ground rather than try to turn aggressive. But there is a small catch to this.

Health Risk: Armadillos are known carriers of the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, which cause a very rare skin and nerve disease called leprosy. Nevertheless, one must note that to acquire this particular disease from an armadillo, leprosy, is far from likely. The reason being that the disease in itself is not that easily acquired; therefore, one should err on the safe side.

Injuries: If you are going to handle or catch an armadillo, this animal can scratch you with its sharp claws. An armadillo uses its claws for excavation; however, they may inadvertently hurt you while it tries to defend itself from your touch.

Are Armadillos Dangerous to Touch?

Though armadillos are not aggressive, touching them is best avoided. Here is why:

1. Bacteria: Yes, armadillos do carry bacteria that cause leprosy. Chances of getting it from them are pretty low, but risks are still there.
2. Scratches: Their claws are very huge and pointed, so once you pick up an armadillo, it will scratch in fear or self-defense. The nature of these claws is not only to dig food but also to make burrows.
3. Parasites: Armadillos also harbor fleas or ticks that will hop on over and bite you, causing itching bumps or other problems.

Are Armadillos Harmful to Dogs?

Your dog may well want to give chase—and even attack—a scurrying armadillo. Here’s why you need to keep your dog well away from these creatures:

• Defense: Although the armadillos are not aggressive, they may scratch or even bite a dog in defense when they find themselves threatened and cornered by one. This could be injurious for your dog, but only minor.
• Diseases: Though there are very negligible chances, a dog may be infected with some disease by the armadillo if he is exposed too much to it. Not a very common scenario but something to keep in mind.
• Parasites: Armadillos are carriers of some parasites, like fleas or ticks, etc., that they can transfer to your dog.

Are Armadillos Dangerous to Cats?

The cats seem very agile, and an armadillo wouldn’t hurt them that much. There are a few things to be on the lookout for, however:

• Curiosity: Cats are very curious creatures; therefore, they might actually go out of their way to approach an armadillo. In case the latter feels threatened, it would scratch or bite; it’s very unlikely.
• Risk of Injuries: Few cats cannot extract themselves from harm, but your cat might be scratched if it cornered an armadillo. Probably the best that you can do is to keep a very close eye on your cat in case there is reason to believe that there is an armadillo in the area.

It is unlikely, but possible, for a cat to pick up an Armadillo disease or parasite if they had very direct contact with an Armadillo.

Are Armadillos Dangerous to Eat?

The meat of the armadillo is consumed in various parts of the world. Before you make dinner reservations at that new exotic restaurant planning to serve armadillo, there are a few things you should know:

• Disease Factor: Armadillos do sometimes carry the bacterium causing leprosy in humans. It may be transmitted by undercooked meat. Cooking it well will kill most but is still a pretty dangerous option.
• Other Safety Concerns: Besides the diseases, there are other health risks that one exposes oneself to by preparing and handling the armadillo meat. It is best to always keep away from armadillos as food.

Are Armadillos Human-Friendly?

Armadillos are neither “friendly” toward humans nor mean. They do not actually go out of their way to be sociable with people, and generally, they want to keep some distance. If you have seen one, it’s probably just passing through in search of food or a place to burrow.

• Shy Nature: Armadillos would prefer to run away from you than approach you. They are generally shy and like avoiding threats; you just so happen to be one of those threats—a human.
• Distance Is Safety: The best way to handle an armadillo is not to handle the armadillo at all. From a distance, you can watch it and just let it be on its merry way.

Are Armadillos Mean or Aggressive?

They are not hostile, not aggressive. An armadillo comes to the world just to hunt for food and seek shelter. If there is some danger, they would run away or dig themselves under the ground rather than fight. They may act a little defensively in case of being cornered but will never chase after you or attack on their own without your meddling with them.

Conclusion

They generally are harmless if left alone. They are not around to hurt people, dogs, or cats, but they are known to pose some perils with regards to handling and eating them. The best action a person can take when faced by an armadillo is to just let it alone and allow it to go about its business. If you truly believe that an armadillo is a problem in your yard, at least call a wildlife professional rather than trying to do things on your own.