...or possibly the same one who has established residency in the neighborhood. Scooting along with remarkable speed through the vines, leaf mulch, undergrowth. Looking like it might possibly be the same one I saw a couple of weeks ago, with great curiosity. And much alarm due to thinking: nocturnal creatures in the brightness of mid-day?
Health and safety warnings say "Beware". It could be suffering from some type disease that would cause an animal that we rarely see nosing around, out for a morning stroll. So though I am fascinated by them, and exceptionally curious about the little armored things, I am torn between chasing through woods and keeping my distance. Like those dogs that perpetually chase motor vehicles: what would they do if they actually caught one?
This little guy was apparently resting under P's vehicle, parked out under the trees. She called me when she made startling noise, opening the door, and it came scooting out. We watched it dash off towards the neighbor's yard. A whole lot faster than you think they could move. Mostly due to the fact that we only see them deceased along the right-of-way on their armored backs with legs up in the air. Not moving at all. I think I read someplace they have an unusual 'startle reflex' that causes them to jump straight up in air when frightened. Which explains how they die so often on road ways, hitting the underside of a vehicle.
He/she/it was about the same size as the one I saw recently, so it might be the same. Which would be an indication of those little oddities thinking (do they think or is it all instinct?) this is a relatively safe environment. Maybe establishing a colony? To reproduce and have another generation of armadillos to perpetually plow up the entire neighborhood?
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