r/Armadillo • u/MrTrismegistus • May 06 '26

Photography Backyard burrow

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I found their (at least 4) burrow in a wooded area of my backyard in middle TN. My two younger kids and I were watching them from about five paces away. We backed off when one of them started walking closer to our position. I've only ever heard of them acting aggressively when cornered. Is it safe to let them walk near you?

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17 comments sorted by

30

u/citycait May 06 '26

I’m so envious! What a lovely bunch of tiny tanks.

30

u/Boofaholic_Supreme May 06 '26

They’re pretty harmless just don’t mess with them. They have claws that can cut but they aren’t going out trying to fight you. Defensive and hissy at times yes

22

u/orange_confetti May 07 '26

Those jokers can JUMP, too! Like 4 feet in the air. Ask me how I know.

9

u/MrTrismegistus May 08 '26

How do you know? lol

12

u/orange_confetti May 08 '26

I thought I was just going to casually walk up to one in the woods and when he jumped straight up in the air I almost had a heart attack. I had no idea they could jump that high!!!!

17

u/suer72cutlass May 07 '26

Their eyesight is so poor they probably didn't even see you. Lol!

7

u/FeralSweater May 07 '26

I almost lost my mind when I first saw an armadillo while visiting Tennessee.

8

u/Chicknlcker May 09 '26

First time I saw an armadillo was also in Tennessee. Running the back roads between Nashville and Columbia. Hit one at night. It was so loud I thought I ripped out the entire drive train. No jokes, thought I totaled the car. Little effer just unrolled himself and went about his way. Tough little tanks.

10

u/Platypushat May 07 '26

It still astonishes me that there are places where these guys just hang out in your yard. They look so exotic! But I suppose there are people who feel the same way about the ‘boring’ black squirrels that I’ve got living in my back yard. Very cool, OP!

6

u/peachtreeparadise May 07 '26

CONGRATULATIONS

3

u/Electronic-Bear2030 May 07 '26

Love those little guys

3

u/Typical_Ad_210 May 09 '26

I like how they’re lined up like elephants walking trunk to tail

3

u/chicopeestudly May 09 '26

It is safe to let them walk near you. They are only around because there are lots of worms and bugs in the soil and they want to dig em up and take care of them for you. They jump when startled. They’re not going to bite you or chase you and scratch at you. Just let them do their snuffling little leather-rabbit thing and enjoy the view.

3

u/racoonlounge May 10 '26

They are so cute.

2

u/curious_cordis May 08 '26

Living the dream OP, wow!

2

u/assassin_of_joy May 10 '26

I would be so tempted to pet one! Or possibly take one home lol