Food Habits, Distribution and Impact of the Nine-Banded Armadillo in Missouri
Stomach analyses were done on forty-five armadillos taken in twelve southern Missouri counties. Coleoptera larvae and adults comprised 26.1-32.4% of the stomach contents by weight and 26.5-32.4% by volume for the fall, winter and spring seasons. Ants (Hymenoptera) made up 29.3% of the stomach contents by weight and 28.6% by volume in the summer. Surveys returned from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, along with calls and letters by Missouri residents, were used to compile a distribution map of armadillos in Missouri. Armadillos were recorded from 62 counties. Both negative and positive reports about the impact of armadillos were noted. Most reports were about yard damage resulting from the armadillo's foraging behavior.
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