Armadillo

Obesity

SignsBelly skin bulging past the edge of the shell, sluggish movement, labored breathing, short stride

PreventionLimit high-fat foods and fruit. Weigh monthly. Ensure daily digging and walking exercise

Hypothermia

SignsBody cold to the touch, curled up and motionless, slow breathing. Poor at regulating body temperature; dangerous below 20°C

PreventionKeep room temperature at 22–28°C; in winter keep a heater and thermometer in place at all times. Put insulating material in the bed

Overgrown or deformed claws

SignsClaws curling round, abnormal gait, claws cracking and bleeding. Occurs in enclosures with nothing to dig

PreventionProvide a permanent soil or sand area so claws wear down naturally. Check claws monthly; see the vet if overgrown

Metabolic bone disease

SignsWobbly legs, softening or deformation of the shell, fractures easily. Caused by calcium deficiency and lack of UV light

PreventionDust insects with a calcium supplement. Avoid an unbalanced diet. Have bone condition checked at regular checkups

Digestive disorders

SignsDiarrhea or constipation, blood or mucus in the stool, reduced appetite, bloated belly. Caused by sudden diet changes or unsuitable food

PreventionSwitch foods gradually over several days. Do not give dairy or human food. Check stool daily

Dermatitis and shell lesions

SignsRed skin between the shell bands, dandruff, hair loss, cracks, discoloration or foul odor of the shell

PreventionKeep bedding clean and not too damp. Inspect the shell monthly. See the vet early for wounds or discoloration

Claw damage and bleeding

PreventionDo not use wire-mesh floors or mesh walls. Avoid fabric or carpet that can snag claws

First aidPress with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes. If bleeding does not stop or the claw is torn off at the base, see the vet the same day

Shell damage from a fall

PreventionDo not pick it up or place it on high surfaces. Keep climbable fences and furniture away from the cage

First aidIf the shell is cracked or bleeding, do not touch it; rest it in a small box and see the vet immediately. Even if it looks unhurt, see the vet the same day

Fractures

PreventionAvoid slippery floors; lay down mats. Give enough calcium to keep bones strong

First aidDo not touch the injured area; put it in a box, keep it dark and resting. Do not splint it yourself; see the vet within the day

Lacerations of the skin between shell bands

PreventionRemove sharp corners and metal fittings from the cage. Do not leave narrow gaps it can squeeze into

First aidRinse off dirt under running water and press with gauze. For deep wounds or a lifted shell, see the vet immediately

Leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae)

RouteThe natural host is mainly the nine-banded armadillo. Few reports in six-banded armadillos

PreventionDo not touch blood or body fluids with bare hands. Always wash hands with soap after care

Salmonellosis

RouteOral, via the body, bedding or hands contaminated with feces

PreventionWash hands thoroughly after cleaning and handling. Do not wash cage items in the kitchen sink

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with skin or shell

PreventionHandle with gloves and see the vet if there is dandruff or hair loss. Wash hands after contact

Leptospirosis

RouteThrough skin wounds or the mouth, from water or bedding contaminated with urine

PreventionWear gloves when cleaning. Do not handle directly if you have a cut on your hand

Food

• Staple diet is insects (crickets, mealworms, etc.) dusted with a calcium supplement
• Supplement with low-fat food, boiled egg and small amounts of vegetables or fruit
• Feed once or twice a day, in the evening or at night. Remove leftovers the next morning

Water

• Keep fresh water available at all times in a heavy ceramic dish
• Soil easily gets kicked in by digging, so change it daily

Toys & play

• A digging area of soil or sand at least 20 cm deep
• Tunnels or leaf litter with insects hidden inside to forage for
• Wide cardboard or PVC tunnels

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark, snug wooden or plastic nest box filled with hay
• Large enough to fit the whole body, with a single entrance

Bedding & litter

• Lay a thick layer of soil, coconut fiber or paper bedding
• Avoid pine or cedar shavings
• It uses a fixed corner as a toilet, so lay newspaper there and change it daily

Cage / housing material

A sturdy wooden or plastic enclosure that will not break when dug at. No wire-mesh floors

Size & space

At least 150 cm wide × 80 cm deep. Prioritize floor area

Layout

• Place the digging area, nest box and water dish apart from each other
• Bedding 15–20 cm deep to allow digging
• Walls at least 60 cm high with an unclimbable surface

Placement notes

• Place in a quiet spot out of direct sunlight
• Use floor heating or a heater so it never drops below 20°C in winter

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let it roam freely indoors for at least 30 minutes from early evening onward
• Block cords and gaps around furniture with barriers before letting it out
• When outside in the yard, keep it inside an enclosure and never take your eyes off it

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Risk of hypothermia below 20°C

Humidity50–70%. Too dry causes skin problems

Summer & winter

• In summer, keep below 28°C with air conditioning and keep the cage out of direct sunlight
• In winter, use a panel heater or heat lamp together with a thermometer

Nail trimming

Wear down naturally if there is somewhere to dig. Have overgrown claws trimmed by the vet

Brushing, skin & coat care

Wipe the skin between the shell bands with a damp cloth. Check the shell for cracks and discoloration

Other care

Rinse off dirt in a shallow bath of lukewarm water once or twice a month. Check the teeth as far as visible

Protection from predators

• Do not keep in the same room as dogs or cats; even play can injure the shell or legs
• Watch for crows, stray cats and raccoon dogs when outside in the yard
• Use screens and keep bedding clean to control mosquitoes and fleas

Foreign-body ingestion

Its digging habit means it mouths bedding and pebbles. Do not leave plastic, rubber bands or small toys on the floor. If it vomits, stops eating or passes no stool, see the vet the same day

Being stepped on

It roams around underfoot, so do not walk in dark rooms. If stepped on, shell damage or fractures are possible; check its movement and see the vet the same day

Getting pinched

It squeezes into gaps, so check where it is before opening or closing doors. If trapped, do not pull it out by force; open the gap carefully and let it come out. If it drags a leg, see the vet

Falls

It cannot climb high, but accidents from being picked up and dropped are common. Hold it close to the floor, supporting it with both hands. If dropped, check the shell and see the vet the same day

Escape

It escapes by digging at the floor or along walls. Reinforce the enclosure floor and never take your eyes off it in the yard. If it escapes, search in sheltered spots and under soil where it might burrow

Safe release procedure

1. Stop moving and bring something that smells of food near its face
2. Gently slip a finger into the corner of its mouth to open it
3. Once it lets go, return it to the dark nest box to calm down
4. Always check for claw scratches as well

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water for at least 5 minutes and wash with soap. See a doctor for swelling or fever. Treat deep claw wounds the same way

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight, room temperature, type and amount of food, photos of stool, time symptoms began. Find a hospital that will see armadillos in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Body temperature is lower than a human's, around 33–35°C. Check by hand whether the body feels cold
• Check breathing by the movement of the chest and belly. Normal is slow and regular
• Check the heartbeat by placing a hand on the underside of the chest

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for at least 5 minutes
• Do not press on shell wounds; lay gauze over them gently
• If bleeding will not stop, transport while maintaining pressure

Transport

• Line a dark box with a towel and secure the body for the trip
• Put hand warmers outside the towel. Avoid both chilling and overheating