Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever researched something on the internet and then, the first thing that you read seems as if it was written just for you? We saw an armadillo for the first time on our walk at Panola Mountain State Park and I took photos of it, getting fairly close. (At one time, the armadillo was restricted to South Georgia but it is now in the Metro Atlanta area!) The animal was rooting amongst the leaves searching for bugs and grubs, not paying any attention to me. When I got home and typed in "armadillos in Georgia"...the first thing that popped up said, "Step Away From The Armadillo, Lady"! Oh dear! Basically, it stated that the animal can transmit LEPROSY to humans.
Gulp, look how close I had been to it!
Now, since that time, I have looked at several websites about this creature and I found some excellent information just here. This article states that only two humans have contracted leprosy from armadillos and that was from eating raw or undercooked armadillo.
Okay...I don't think I will eat one of them. Why, oh why, would someone even try? Of course, it is a good idea to respect nature and never get too close to wild animals. There, you have been warned!
Oh dear, this reminds me of a song, you knew it would.
Hope everyone is having a good week!
Hedgehogs are not anything like armadillos, but you never know what will make me think of a song.
GREAT photos! He (she?) is such a pale grey!
ReplyDeleteYou can't tell but the armadillo was really moving! And the first photo was in bright sunlight, so the color looks very pale. So, in other words, my photos could be better! :-)
DeleteThat's sad!!!!!! I can't bear the thought of people with leprosy...but little armadillos having to bear up with leprosy????? :( :( :(
ReplyDeleteFrom that article that I had the link to, I think it said that they are the only animals who carry leprosy and they have been useful for those who research the disease.
DeleteI have not come across an armadillo in the wild. How lucky you were. And apparently you are safe unless you want to have one for lunch.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to see it but I could see how destructive they can be, it was really making the leaves and the dirt fly as it was rooting around for food.
DeleteWhy did I think they were only in Texas?! BTW, you may like my newest blog entry, my fellow Keane fan.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just looked at Keane's website and they were just here in Atlanta on Jan. 14th, I missed them! Oh well, maybe I will get to see them one day!
DeleteThey are such strange looking creatures!
ReplyDeleteThey really, really are...like something from the dinosaur days!
DeleteI had no idea they were ever anywhere in Georgia...I always learn new things from your blog.
ReplyDeleteGood. Now pay attention, your test will begin shortly!
DeleteHA!
Of course, there is no chance to ever spot an armadillo in the wild in Europe, as they simply do not exist here. All the more exciting is it for me to know you have actually seen one while you were out walking! I think they are lovely, and wonder why some people insist on trying to eat anything that moves.
ReplyDeleteThe leprosy warning is just ridiculous, just as daft as the warning against drinking water because it makes you go to the loo more often and that could drain your body of fluids.
This is why I like to read about something from several different sources, I never get my information from just one place.
DeleteI suspect the armadillos have been in this area for several years now, we just have never seen them so close to the trails where we like to walk. I know we had one at work and my co-workers came in and showed me the photos of it on their phones, and I said, "Dang, don't show me pictures, come and get me next time!"
Yes, armadillos are the only critters besides human that can get leprosy. They were used to research the cures we have now.
ReplyDeleteThere are some who do eat armadillo, but as with pork or chicken, you have to make sure you cook it properly.
Okay now, I am curious. Have you ever it? Come on now, be honest! And please, don't say it tastes like chicken!
DeleteIf I know that you could get leprosy from an animal, I think that would stop me from eating it!
Armadillos are definitely not only in Texas, but they abound here. And they are majorly destructive, kind of like the feral pigs that also abound here. They don't growl at you though like the pigs do. They will dig up your garden and your flower bed and your plants and keep coming back over and over and over. Had not heard about the leprosy - seriously? Wow.
ReplyDeleteGrowling pigs and armadillos that tear up your gardens? Sounds like the Texas gardeners have to be one tough bunch!
DeleteWhen visiting in Mississippi years ago, I did see several Armadillos and they were a common thing for them, but not me. First time I'd ever seen one.
ReplyDeleteI lived in South Georgia as a teenager and I saw them there, but it is a fairly recent thing in this part of Georgia.
DeleteWell, don't eat raw or uncooked meat of any kind.
ReplyDeleteNo, don't worry, I won't...and I won't eat armadillo even if it is well done!
DeleteThey had an armadillo shaped - and coloured! - cake in the film Steel Magnolias, I should think that is far closer than anyone would want to get to eating one! Amazing animals though.
ReplyDeleteFunny! I didn't remember it, so I just looked it up. It was a Red Velvet Armadillo Cake...but the tail was really much smaller than the tail is on a real one!
DeleteHow lovely to find that wee beastie at your feet.
ReplyDeleteThe wee beastie was not wee at all, it was rather large and a bit scary, to be honest...but I just had to get that photo for my blog!
DeleteI had no idea about the leprosy! You learn something new every day. Well, at least you got to see one up close!
ReplyDeleteYou can see why I was startled when I read about the leprosy just after being so close to the creature! You know I did clamber up a bank to get that photo,I am such a risk taker! Ha!
DeleteGood morning Kay, well I never, I would be so surprised to see an armadillo whilst out walking. They are such interesting creatures. I love the fact that he was not as interested in you as you were in him. He was happy to carry on searching for food.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog whilst visiting a friend and I have enjoyed my visit so I have become a new follower.
Best Wishes from the North East of England.
Daphne
Hello Daphne! Lovely to meet you and I thank you for being a new follower! Ta!
DeleteDo you say Ta in your part of England? They still do in Eastbourne that is where my in laws live.
Thanks very much for following you have made my day.
Good evening Kay, yes we do say 'ta very much' here in the north. We also say 'thanks pet'. Best wishes, Daphne
DeleteIt seems I remember hearing "Thanks, pet" on the TV show, "Last of the Summer Wine" but since I am remembering it from the 80's, I could be wrong! LOL!
DeleteMy sister says she has heard of some people in her area of northern Florida who do eat armadillo. She and her husband spend a lot of time trying to get them to go away from their farmland. :)
ReplyDeleteI can certainly understand that someone would not want them anywhere near their gardens, the one that we saw was so big, I can imagine it could do a lot of damage.
DeleteI'd love to see an armadillo up close.
ReplyDeleteIt was surprising for us to see one, just beside the trail!
DeleteFound that fascinating as I had no idea Armadillos lived in North America as any wildlife programmes here always show them lumbering across open plains in South America. Always fancied seeing one for real. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteWe are always on the lookout for wildlife on our walks. You will have to read my post from one November a few years back, where we (well, not ME personally) rescued a snake that was trapped in some landscape netting!
DeleteIf I ever see a bear, I doubt I will post about it, I will never stop running! LOL.
Leprosy! Wow! Well if you get it by eating armadillos, the chance of me contracting it that way is zero! Great photos of an unusual animal, Kay!
ReplyDeleteHa ha me and you both! Having said that if I was hungry enough, I am certain I would eat most anything. And I was surprised at the size of this one, he was huge!
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