the state animal of Texas is the armadillo. Armadillo control is a service that is needed in Texas when armadillos become a nuisance, armadillos are a very unusual animal and we will attempt to explain a bit about their biology and the kinds of damage they do to make them a nuisance animal in the state of Texas. One observer, who pitched small rocks one at a time at a feeding armadillo, reported that the animal leaped into the air after each rock landed, then stood up and sniffed the air for danger. RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the longhorn the official Large State Mammal of Texas and the armadillo the official Small State Mammal of Texas. WHEREAS, As proud and indomitable as the state from which they hail, both the longhorn and the armadillo will serve as fitting symbols of Texas' unique heritage; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the longhorn the official Large State Mammal of Texas and the armadillo the official Small State Mammal of Texas. A burrow dug around a network of tree roots can end up with some complex tunnels. A bony, scaled shell protects the armadillo from predators. Armadillo Control. Often its head is buried in vegetation as it roots along the ground. The young are born in March and April. Armadillo-mania is contagious in the Lone Star State, as Texans, for no apparent reason, have adopted this armor-plated critter as their mascot. The female has four mammary glands – two on the upper chest and two on the lower abdomen – just the right number for the quadruplets that are born each time. Since the shell cannot be shed and replaced with a larger one, it must increase in size as the young armadillo grows, and it does not harden until adult size is reached. For this reason, the shell's smooth surface may be more important to survival than its armorlike qualities. For this reason, it is unwise to reach into any burrow trying to find an armadillo at home. The vegetation is stuffed loosely into a dome-shaped chamber and the armadillo merely pushes its way in and out each time the nest is used. Even when the eyes are exposed, its eyesight can only be considered poor. The armadillo, (Dasypus novemcinctus,) became the official small state mammal of Texas when Governor George W. Bush signed //-->, document.write Support for the longhorn and armadillo was equally divided so the state decided to create a designation for small state mammal and large state … A network connecting science with conservation - NatureServe Explorer: An Online Encyclopedia of Life. Older males fairly reek, and few people who butcher one can stand to eat the meat. The four young, always of the same sex, come from a single fertilized egg. It allows the armadillo to run through heavy brush and brambles and escape a predator that cannot go through thorny underbrush as quickly. The young remain with the mother until the start of the next breeding season. Unlike some of its South American relatives, the nine-banded armadillo does not roll into a tight ball for protection. The nine-banded Armadillo is an insectivorous mammal found in North, South, and Central America. The nest cavity, usually located at the far end of a tunnel, is about eighteen inches in diameter and may be as much as three feet underground. Texas State Small Mammal Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) Adopted in June 16, 1995. Bill Clements, governor of Texas at the time, signed the order because the Texas Legislature was not keen on making the armadillo the official state animal of Texas, and so they voted the attempt down. Other official mammal state symbols include the armadillo (designated in 1927) and the Mexican free-tailed bat (1995). In 1995, the State of Texas made the nine-banded armadillo its ‘official state small mammal’. A Texas man was hospitalized this week, after being hit in the head by a ricocheting bullet he had aimed at an armadillo. During the experiment, it was forced to make ten round-trip crossings. One-fourth inch in diameter and three-eighths inch long, these glands are present in both sexes and unnoticeable unless protruded and functioning. By the 1930s it had moved into Oklahoma and increased its population in Texas. After several rocks had landed nearby, the fact that the disturbances might mean danger finally seemed to penetrate its brain, and it took off at high speed. If it were not for cold weather, this South American immigrant still might be traveling northward. During its continuous search for food, the armadillo wanders around in a rambling, unhurried manner. Those people who eat armadillo meat will find that thorough cooking should make the meat noninfectious. RESOLVED: That the 74th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby . The armadillo was named the official small state mammal of the State of Texas by House Concurrent Resolution and is not, therefore, listed in the Texas Statutes. WHEREAS: [The armadillo is] a proud and indomitable as the state from which it hails. They usually are fairly straight, but bends and turns occur when the digger meets with an underground obstacle. The embryo starts as a single individual; however, through a process of bisection, followed by a second sub-division, four clonelike embryos are formed. In the interest of health, a law was passed in Texas prohibiting the sale of live armadillos. The water level, which was about six inches deep for the first six feet, increased to twelve inches for the last two feet. Official State Small Mammal of Texas. Its heavy body remains almost completely submerged, and the animal tires rapidly. The body shell is divided into three main parts. Press, College Station. Armadillos cannot be considered stealthy animals by any stretch of the imagination. Its scientific species name is Dasypus novemcinctus and it originally came from Mexico. Burrows serving as permanent residences may have several passages with openings above ground, but usually only one entrance is used regularly. To increase buoyancy and help offset the shell's weight, the armadillo gulps air, inflating its stomach and intestines to double their normal size.

The Texas armadillo is about the size of a large cat; its overall length is about 2? This nervous jumping response probably is responsible for many of the road-killed armadillos. During the 1920s depression, the Nine-banded armadillo was eaten, referred to as the ‘Hoover Hog’ as a result of President Hoovers failure to keep meat on the tables. With the exception of their soft, leathery shells, the young are miniature copies of the adults. Affection for the near-sighted rooter has reached the faddish level as decals, games, puzzles, candles, stuffed toys, figurines, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items are decorated with or shaped to resemble armadillos. They're cute! Bobwhite! The back part protects the pelvic region, and the middle – which consists of nine, flexible, somewhat-telescoping bands – connects the other two parts. A bony, scaled shell protects the armadillo from … A distant cousin of the sloth and the anteater, the nine-banded armadillo is the only species that occurs in North America. During its continuous and dedicated search for food, the armadillo seems unaware of its surroundings. It laps up any insects it finds in the soil before it moves on in search of other places to dig. While feeding, the armadillo digs cone-shaped pits about three or four inches deep, laps up any exposed insects before moving on, then revisits the pits regularly to claim any insects they may have trapped. Texas designated the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) as the official state small mammal in 1995 (Texas also recognizes an official large mammal and a flying mammal symbol).All State Mammals. Amarillo (/ ˌ æ m ə ˈ r ɪ l oʊ / AM-ə-RIL-oh) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the seat of Potter County.It is the 14th-most populous city in Texas and the largest city in the Texas Panhandle. (Some of their much larger cingulate relatives, the pampatheres and chlamyphorid glyptodonts, made the same journey.) There are a number of state animals in Texas, divided into categories. And what about the creature that has caused this strange cult of armadillo lovers – a less likely mammal could hardly be found. The longhorn became the large mammal symbol of Texas in 1995. One armadillo may have as many as fifteen burrows located in its ten-acre range – some in use and some abandoned. Although it also eats berries and some other vegetation, its rooting and digging for insects are what bring the armadillo into conflict with humans. The tongue picks up the ants or termites as quickly as they are exposed and the feeding armadillo may end up with its head, shoulders, and sometimes entire body underground. Except during the breeding season and when the young are small, the armadillo is a solitary creature and will live all alone in its burrow system. Thank you Jason Matthews for reading and commenting on my hub. Affection for the near-sighted rooter has reached the faddish level as decals, games, puzzles, candles, stuffed toys, figurines, jewelry, T-shirts, and other items are decorated with or shaped to resemble armadillos. ! Complete list of official Texas state … If left alone, it travels no more than one-third mile per hour, but when danger threatens, it can turn on the speed and is a master at dodging. However, the greatest hazard of being infected (if any) may be encountered during cleaning and dressing of the animals. The Nine-banded armadillo is the official state small mammal of Texas, nicknamed the ‘hillbilly speed bump’ as they are hit on the roads so often. . Woodlands provide shady grubbing areas on clear, hot days, but when the temperature gets too high, the armadillo heads for the cooler comfort of its burrow and waits for twilight and the night hours for foraging. The Louise Heavy scales cover the armadillo's head and the exposed surfaces of its legs, but the underparts of its body have nothing to protect them except tough skin and a bit of coarse hair. The armadillo was adopted as the Texas small state mammal on June 16, 1995. of the State of Texas. Many other wildlife species use and benefit from abandoned armadillo burrows. Very interesting hub on a very strange animal. The armadillo is the state small mammal of Texas. Texas: State Animal - Armadillo 1 of 1 Drawing of armadillo to color. Oftentimes blackberry brambles or other heavy vegetation help conceal the entrances. This smell comes from glands located close to the anus. Probably one of the reasons people do not eat more armadillo is the animal's strong odor. Some observers, who have not fallen under the armadillo's spell, have been so unkind as to call it ugly. The young are born with their eyes open and are able to get around within a few hours. Email Updates. As if that weren't noisy enough, the armadillo also may make low grunting sounds as it digs for food. The nine-banded armadillo averages about 8 pounds, stands about 10 inches tall, and is 24 inches long.

I have read that armadillos can be housebroken. Useful though it may be on most occasions, the heavy shell is a definite handicap around water. A distant cousin of the sloth and the anteater, the nine-banded armadillo is the only species that occurs in North America. . The purpose of the law is commendable, but thanks to the current armadillo-mania, prohibiting the sale of live armadillos has not lessened human contact with the armor-plated critters. The Texas armadillo is about the size of a large cat; its overall length is about 2? Further classification of the nine-banded armadillo places it in the sub-order Xenarthra, which apparently developed in South America. See more ideas about Texas animals, Animals, Armadillo art. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. As armadillos are suspected to be the carriers of Mycobacterium leprae (a b… 1990 – Armadillos: Introducing Mammals to Young All State Mammals. This animal is both an omnivore and an insectivore in its dietary habits. Armadillo-mania is contagious in the Lone Star State, as Texans, for no apparent reason, have adopted this armor-plated critter as their mascot. Like all of the Xenarthra lineages, armadillos originated in South America. The nine-banded armadillo is probably the most well known, thanks to its widespread distribution and unfortunate propensity for being run over; the alternate name for this armadillo species is the “hillbilly speed bump.” I have seen them dead and alive. Texas A&M University They then go out on their own. A feeding armadillo sensing danger may stand up on its hind legs and appear to look around, but its eyesight is quite poor and it is actually sniffing the air for enemies. The front part protects the shoulders and provides an area into which the head can be partially retracted. Armadillo Facts. People sometimes ask if the Armadillo is really the state animal of Texas. Hiller There are many things Texas is proud of: Texas Bluebonnets, BBQ, Longhorns (both the cow and their college football team), cowboy boots and country music, the Lone Star State flag, the list goes on.Texans are a proud bunch but they also make sure to recognize a few key animals in their state as well. I have still never seen a real armadillo in any condition. Its Texas range in the 1870s was restricted to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, but twenty years later it could be found as far north as Austin. Armadillos have a wide range of colors. The state held a mock election with hundreds of elementary school children to decide on the state mammal. It continued to extend its range northward and eastward, finding living conditions in Louisiana to its liking. If an armadillo is tossed into deep water, it sinks, then comes to the surface and swims with an awkward dog-paddle stroke. Nine-banded armadillo in Aubrey, Texas; photo by Rich Anderson on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike). An armadillo usually is found close to some source of water. Winter is just the reverse. Each time, whether entering from the shallow or deeper side, it walked instead of swimming. The Texas Longhorn was made the Official Large State … It isn't even cuddly. (The same law also makes it illegal to sell skunks, an animal known to transmit rabies.) Nine-Banded Armadillo. An armadillo released at the edge readily entered the water and walked across the pool. Eating armadillos is not widespread in Texas today, although it has been popular among south-of-the-border residents for more than a hundred years. The armadillo has been especially valuable for leprosy research since it is the only known mammal, other than humans, that can be infected with this disfiguring disease. which came from Mexico along time ago. The armadillo became the official mascot for the state of Texas in 1981 by executive decree. In the times of depression, armadillos were often consumed by people. Some believe it is uncommon, while others think such short crossings happen frequently in the animal's familiar home territory. They can be pink, red, black, gray or yellow.Some people eat armadillos and claim it tastes like pork.The nine-banded armadillo is the official state animal of Texas.The giant armadillo can have up to 100 teeth, according to the San Diego Zoo.The screaming hairy armadillo gets it name from the sound it makes when threatened. Don't get the idea that they are cowards, however. Texas designated the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) as the official state small mammal in 1995 (Texas also recognizes an official large mammal and a flying mammal symbol). texas animal armadillo geography state animal social studies state = Member Site Document. Armadillos are odd creatures with interesting talents as you say. Few people looking at damaged lawns, flowerbeds, and gardens are consoled by the fact that the armadillo causing the damage was only searching for bugs – grubs that may be harmful to those same lawns, flowers, and gardens, but not in such an obvious way. These pits may become traps for other insects, and the armadillo revisits them regularly. Most of these burrows are seven to eight inches in diameter and two to twenty-five feet long. PREVIEW. In Central and South America, people consume armadillo meat as a part of their diet. Insect-hunting trips with the mother start before weaning, which takes place at about two months of age. It has a leathery shell and sharp claws. Breeding burrows contain a nest area that is filled with a bushel or so of leaves and grass. In addition to digging for food, an armadillo's claws are used to dig burrows. Since June 16, 1995. A large, unsightly hole results. The flying mammal state animal of Texas is the Mexican freetail bat or Tadarida brasiliensis, a medium-sized species of bat. Well, yes, I have. This means the creature, when caught, has little defense against dogs, coyotes, mountain lions, and other such predators. By the early 1900s they had expanded to the Austin and San Antonio regions, and by the 1950s the armadillo had staked claims across East Texas. Glad you enjoyed! Meet the official state small mammal of Texas: the Nine-banded armadillo! This creates a built-in life preserver. Yes. The Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, a rock and country music establishment decorated by the "Michelangelo of armadillo art," Jim Franklin, was from 1970 to 1980 a monument to the association between Texans and the armadillo. According to William B. Davis in his book The Mammals of Texas, breeding takes place from September to December, with the older females breeding first and the younger ones later. Texas State Small Mammal: Armadillo. They still are being caught for armadillo races; their shells are being converted into hard hats and other weird curios; whole animals are being stuffed in such undignified positions as lying on their backs, supposedly guzzling beer from a bottle; and the meat is being baked, barbecued, or turned into chili. They were derogatorily termed as “Hoover hogs” by people, after President Herbert Hoover failed to keep his promise of a “chicken in every pot”. Here are some fun facts you probably don't already know about the armadillo. State mammals: Armadillo Control. Because of its voracious appetite for insects, it was intentionally introduced to Florida in the 1920’s. Source | Reference Links | Additional Resources, State Symbols: Texas State Library & Archives, Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus): TX Parks & Wildlife, Nine-banded Armadillo: The Mammals of TX Online Edition, Armadillos 01, Florida's Strange Wildlife. [citation needed] In 1995, the nine-banded armadillo was, with some resistance, made the state small mammal of Texas, where it is considered a pest and is often seen dead on the roadside. The name, “armadillo,” translated from Spanish means, “little armored one.” According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the first armadillo to be recorded in the state was in South Texas in 1849. Although the armadillo did not do so in the beginning, on later crossings it held its muzzle above the surface when walking through the shallow water. To test the armadillo's ability to navigate underwater, some researchers conducted an experiment with a pool of water eight feet wide. The armadillo goes out to feed only during the day when the winter sun provides some warmth. On cloudy or rainy days when temperatures are warm, the armadillo roots around in search of food throughout the daylight hours. Burrows provide some protection from bad weather, but time spent below ground is limited by the armadillo's need to forage daily. Soon after, ranchers rediscovered the tough and well-adapted cattle and they have been a mainstay of Texas ranching operations ever since. Hopefully, through this research, the armadillo will provide the key to a cure for human leprosy. Anteaters, sloths, and armadillos make up the three families within this sub-order and, with the exception of the nine-banded armadillo, all other members are restricted to Central and South America. designate(s) the armadillo as the official Small State Mammal of Texas. Due to the continent's former isolation, they were confined there for most of the Cenozoic. A portion of the city extends into Randall County.The estimated population was 199,371 as of 2019. Other official mammal state symbols include the armadillo (designated in 1927) and the Mexican free-tailed bat (1995). Sexual maturity occurs in the second year. It would be rare indeed to find an undisturbed armadillo that was not foraging. Since the seven or eight teeth lining each side of the upper and lower jaws are not visible unless the mouth is fully opened, it is easy to see why the animal was thought to be toothless. Normally the armadillo wanders about in a rambling, unhurried manner. Each is enclosed in its own membrane sac. WHEREAS, The State of Texas traditionally has recognized a variety of official state symbols as tangible representations of the proud spirit and heritage of our state; and, WHEREAS, The bluebonnet, the pecan tree, the Guadalupe bass, and the lightning whelk are examples of some natural specimens that serve to symbolize the great diversity of the Texas landscape, while the state dish, chili, fittingly represents another aspect of our shared culture as Texans; and, WHEREAS, In keeping with this custom, the designation of an Official State Mammal of Texas has been the subject of an extensive statewide mock election participated in by hundreds of elementary schoolchildren throughout our state; and, WHEREAS, The two front-runners in this race have been the armadillo and the longhorn; and, WHEREAS, Once the cornerstone of the Texas cattle industry, an estimated 10 million longhorns were herded from Texas to midwestern and western markets during the quarter century that followed the Civil War, providing invaluable stability to the state's postwar economy; and, WHEREAS, The longhorn's distinctive profile commands an immediate association with the State of Texas nationwide and is fittingly used as a visual symbol by businesses from the Rio Grande Valley to the Panhandle; and, WHEREAS, The other candidate for designation as Official State Mammal, the armadillo is a hardy, pioneering creature that chose to begin migrating here at about the time that Texas became a state; and, WHEREAS, The armadillo possesses many remarkable and unique traits, some of which parallel the attributes that distinguish a true Texan, such as a deep respect and need for the land, the ability to change and adapt, and a fierce undying love for freedom; and, WHEREAS, As proud and indomitable as the state from which they hail, both the longhorn and the armadillo will serve as fitting symbols of Texas' unique heritage; now, therefore, be it. 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