The Texas Armadillo’s Eating Habit and Their Natural Diet - Surprising Loved Foods!

The eating habit of the Odessa armadillo has become the primary concern of most homeowners in the US due to the damages that it can cause. During the process of digging for food, they may uproot the plants, and destroy the flowers in our garden. Knowing the eating habit of this nuisance creature will help you determine the best way to deter their activity.



Understanding the Natural Diet of the Armadillo

The Texas armadillos are known to be opportunistic eaters that can ingest a considerable amount of food on a daily basis. In a study that was conducted in Texas, it revealed that the natural diet of the armadillo is consist of pill bugs, millipedes, centipedes, larvae, and plant matters like seeds, fruits, and nuts. Occasionally, they can also feed on smaller reptiles and amphibians. A separate study that was performed in Louisiana stated that armadillos will have the same eating habit. Nonetheless, the ratio will greatly differ. 

The Feature of the Armadillo

The part of the Odessa armadillo that they use when foraging food would be their sharp claws and strong legs. The armadillos will use these body parts to dig insects on the ground. They have a poor sense of sight, which is why they will mostly rely on their sense of smell and hearing when hunting for food. They have a sticky long tongue similar to the anteater. They will use this when picking their food. Their teeth are designed for chewing soft materials.

The Geography

Geography plays a key role in determining the natural diet of the Texas armadillo. Since the body fat of the armadillo is relatively low, it will require a steady source of food and dry and humid climate. Those who assessed the armadillo’s biogeographical choice has determined that regions with subtropical climate and will receive at least 15 inches of rainfall on an annual basis is a suitable location for the armadillo. This ensures the creature that there will be enough insects to dig underground.

Things They Eat

At least 90% of their diet is consists of Texas insects. Aside from this, they will also eat other invertebrates such as spiders, scorpions, and earthworms. As we mentioned above, there is a clear proof that the creature also enjoys plant-based sustenance such as berries. Pupae and maggots are also part of their regular diet. It may be rare but this creature will eat vertebrates from time to time. This may include the eggs of various animals, snakes, frogs, skinks, and lizards. When in the countryside, they will also eat pet food such as kitten formula. 

The Odessa armadillo is also the predator of the fire ant that is found in North America. Their digging habit that we found destructive will also make it effective against the fire ants. Scientists are hoping that they will be able to help in controlling the population of the fire ants in the US. The armadillo has a unique diet structure that is why we don’t advice you to keep them as pets.



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