Armadillos in Missouri

Many people who live in the Saint Louis area have lately noticed an increase in armadillo sightings. 

Rustle, the World Bird Sanctuary's nine-banded armadillo (photo: Cathy Spahn)

In the past we would only spot armadillos if we were heading to the southern part of Missouri.  However, they are finding their way up here, and there have even been some sightings as far north as the Missouri/Iowa border.  This is mainly because of climate change.  The warmer winters have made the northern section of Missouri more adaptable for them to migrate north.  So, it will not be uncommon to see these guys more and more as the years go on.

Since armadillos are becoming more common in the Saint Louis area, we should learn about them and why it is important to have them around.  Armadillos are mammals. They have a thin layer of hair covering their entire body. Their “shell,” which is actually bony plates with softer skin in between, protects their head.  They generally weigh between 11 to 14 pounds.  They have a long sticky tongue to help them catch their food.  Due to the fact that they have poor eyesight, they rely on their ears and nose to detect food and predators.  Mating season in this area occurs from July to August.  The female always produces maternal quadruplets.

Armadillos are most active from dusk until dawn.  During the winter months, you will only encounter one during the warmest time of the day.  They construct their home by building burrows, using their long sharp claws.  They use soil and grass to construct the habitats within their burrows.  They are even known to steal habitats created by other armadillos or tortoises.  Their self defense mechanism consists of them jumping straight up into the air; this is why they are often struck by automobiles.  They jump instead of run.

So, why do we need these guys as a part of our ecosystem?  They eat the insects and their larvae that “bug” us so often.  That is enough for me to appreciate these creatures being in existence.  If you happen to see one of these guys while you are at the park or on a walk, enjoy watching them, but do not make physical contact with them.  They are capable of contracting leprosy and transferring it to humans.  Not to worry about Rustle, though.  He’s been checked by our vet and is disease free.

If you want to see and learn more about armadillos, come and visit our resident armadillo, Rustle. He lives in the World Bird Sanctuary Nature Center, and is always a favorite with our guests.  You can also go to our website and adopt Rustle for $150.00.  This will help feed Rustle and pay for his medical care for one year.

Submitted by Erica O’Donnell, World Bird Sanctuary Front Office Coordinator

Year Three of My 365 Photo Project

May has been a very busy month with lots of photography options.  My first opportunity came with a work adventure.

One of the Osprey parents circling overhead (photo:  Cathy Spahn)

 World Bird Sanctuary works with many organizations when it comes to bird issues.  In this case it came with an Osprey that had nested on a crane over 180 feet in the air.  The organization wanted to help the birds, yet the crane was needed.  So, several of us went on an adventure to rescue the eggs.  I stayed on the ground taking photos, since I have a very large fear of heights.

An unhappy Osprey parent (photo: Cathy Spahn)

Walter and Adam adventured up in a lift to the nest to rescue the eggs.  While taking photos of what was going on I took a few nice photos of the Osprey parents as they hovered overhead.   The eggs were taken to World Bird Sanctuary to be put in the incubator.  If the eggs hatch we will then raise the young for release back into the wild.

The next photo opportunity came at World Bird Sanctuary’s Annual Spring Camera Day.  I usually work the event, so I do not have a ton of time to take photos, but I can usually take a few.  There are two photos that came out of this day that I really like.  The first is Rustle, the Nine-banded Armadillo.

Rustle the Nine-banded Armadillo (photo: Cathy Spahn)

This year I decided to try something different and went for Rustle.  Rustle is a very challenging subject to photograph because he does not sit still.  We put Rustle on table with logs, leaves, flowers, and rocks.  He went to town plowing it all over and knocking about 80% on to the ground.  Then he discovered a small colony of ants that came out of the log and he got a nice big snack!  He had a good time and will be a guest again at camera day, but possibly in a different set up.

Oliver (above) & Timber (in box) demonstrating the two Screech Owl color phases (photo: Cathy Spahn)

The next Camera Day photo opportunity came at the end of the day.  I really wanted to try getting a few photos of our two Eastern Screech Owls Timber and Oliver in the same photo.  First the trick to this photo was to keep the birds separated so they could not get to each other.  The first set up involved a large log and one screech owl up high and one down low.  That was a good idea, but the photo was still very distant.  Then I remembered that we have a screech owl box set up.  We put Timber inside the box, since he does not mind the box.  Then we put Oliver on top, since he was not sure of the box earlier in the day.  They both sat perfectly!  This was my favorite of the two birds and a nice way to show the two different color phases.

Jim, the farmer, and me with two of the babies (photo: Jeff Meshach)

The last work adventure that resulted in many photos was a sudden trip.  One day I was leaving to head out bird watching when Jeff Meshach, WBS director, pulled up and asked if I would like to go with him to place Barn Owls for release.  Away we went heading south to a farm with 6 Barn Owls to be hacked into the wild. 

The Barn Owl fledglings adjusting to their new environment (photo: Cathy Spahn)

Hacking is the process of putting young birds into an artificial nest, or in this case a barn.  The nest is closed for a period of time (so the babies can’t leave) and humans provide food.  Then the doors are opened.  As the babies fly to and from the artificial nest, humans provide food for anywhere from a few days to a week.  This supplements food they may catch as they develop their flight skills.  The young are then off and on their own.  This method has been used for a long time and has helped to bring many endangered species back from the brink of extinction, such as the Peregrine Falcon.  This photo was taken by Jeff of Jim the farmer and me with two of the owls ready to go.

So these are just a few of my photos for the month.  Sometimes the photo opportunities are planned and other times they just happen.  I have had people say they want to come with me to take photos.  I can fully admit sometimes it really is just dumb luck on what comes about.  What makes the big difference is just getting out and taking photos--not just sitting at home waiting for something to happen.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Photo Project: May of Year 3

May has been a very busy month with lots of photography options.  My first opportunity came with a work adventure.

The Osprey parents weren't too happy with the humans at their nest (photo: Cathy Spahn)

World Bird Sanctuary works with many organizations when it comes to bird issues.  In this case it came with an Osprey that had nested on a crane over 180 feet in the air.  The organization wanted to help the birds, yet the crane was needed.  So, several of us went on an adventure to rescue the eggs.  I stayed on the ground taking photos, since I have a very large fear of heights.  Walter and Adam ventured up in a lift to the nest to rescue the eggs. 

Hopefully these Osprey parents will find a better location for their next nest (photo: Cathy Spahn)

While taking photos of what was going on I took a few nice photos of the Osprey parents as they hovered overhead.   The eggs were taken to World Bird Sanctuary to be put in the incubator.  If the eggs hatch we will then raise the young for release back into the wild.

Rustle the Nine-banded Armadillo enjoying Camera Day

The next photo opportunity came at World Bird Sanctuary’s Annual Spring Camera Day.  I usually work the event, so I do not have a ton of time to take photos, but I can usually take a few.  There are two photos that came out of this day that I really like.  The first is Rustle, the Nine-banded Armadillo.  This year I decided to try something different and went for Rustle.  Rustle is a very challenging subject to photograph because he does not sit still.  We put Rustle on a table with logs, leaves, flowers, and rocks.  He went to town plowing it all over and knocking about 80% onto the ground.  Then he discovered a small colony of ants that came out of the log and he got a nice big snack!  He had a good time and will be a guest again at camera day, but possibly in a different set up.

Notice how well Oliver blends into the tree trunk--would you spot him in the woods? (photo: Cathy Spahn)

The next Camera Day photo opportunity came at the end of the day.  I really wanted to try getting a few photos of our two Eastern Screech Owls Timber and Oliver in the same photo.  First the trick to this photo was to keep the birds separated so they could not get to each other.  The first set up involved a large log and one screech owl up high and one down low.  That was a good idea, but the photo was still very distant.  Then I remembered that we have a screech owl box set up.  We put Timber inside the box, since he does not mind the box.  Then we put Oliver on top, since he was not sure of the box earlier in the day.  They both sat perfectly!  This was my favorite of the two birds and a nice way to show the two different color phases.

The last work adventure that resulted in many photos was a sudden trip.  One day I was leaving to head out bird watching when Jeff Meshach, WBS director, pulled up and asked if I would like to go with him to place Barn Owls for release. 

Me and Jim the farmer waiting to release the babies into their new home (photo: Jeff Meshach)

Away we went heading south to a farm with 6 Barn Owls to be hacked into the wild.  Hacking is the process of putting young birds into an artificial nest, or in this case a barn.  The nest is closed for a period of time (so the babies can’t leave) and humans provide food.  Then the doors are opened. 

The newly released Barn Owls looking over their temporary new home (photo: Cathy Spahn)

As the babies fly to and from the artificial nest, humans provide food for anywhere from a few days to a week.  This supplements food they may catch as they develop their flight skills.  The young are then off and on their own.  This method has been used for a long time and has helped to bring many endangered species back from the brink of extinction, such as the Peregrine Falcon.  This photo was taken by Jeff of Jim the farmer and me with two of the owls ready to go.

So these are just a few of my photos for the month.  Sometimes the photo opportunities are planned and other times they just happen.  I have had people say they want to come with me to take photos.  I can fully admit sometimes it really is just dumb luck on what comes about.  What makes the big difference is just getting out and taking photos--not just sitting at home waiting for something to happen.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Amazing Animal Encounters Are Back!

Visit World Bird Sanctuary this summer and experience Amazing Animal Encounters!

Ameren Missouri brings you free, family-friendly, fun and education Amazing Animal Encounters at World Bird Sanctuary, all summer long!

Meet Rustle, our Nine-banded Armadillo 

Free, fun, family-friendly environmental education programs are presented by our naturalists, using snakes, parrots, birds and mammals to teach you about the amazing creatures that share our planet, and what we can do to help them survive.

Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day

Time: Saturdays at 11:30am and 2:00pm; Sundays 1:30pm. 

Admission: Admission and parking is FREE.  No reservations required.

Amazing Animal Encounters are sponsored by Ameren Missouri

Rustle, the Nine-banded Armadillo

Rustle, the Nine-banded Armadillo, has quickly found a way into my heart and has become one of my favorite animals at WBS.  Over this last year I have come to know and love this little 9 lb wonder of an animal.

It all started last fall when I let him get some time out of his enclosure.  He started digging at another animal’s water bottle, so I gave him some water, thinking he was thirsty.  This is when it all started.  He dumped the water all over the floor and created his own slip and slide.  Then he proceeded to roll like crazy in the water. 

Following his lead, we began to provide Rustle with his own water tub in which to take a daily bath.  This behavior and his fun in the water led to a You Tube video that has made Rustle famous-- even in Japan!  We have also discovered his love for warm water.  When you get him out for his daily run he is usually sleepy and if you set him in the water he will rest in the water with all four feet stretched out, like having his own warm water spa.

Since Rustle runs daily we have worked very hard on handling him and just making him very comfortable around people.  He loves his run time and explores shoes, bags left on the floor, a jacket he can pull down to the floor, etc.  Anything at ground level is something to be explored. 

For an animal that does not see very well Rustle definitely knows where and when to be present.  If a cabinet opens in the animal food prep room he is there in a heartbeat, especially if it contains towels.  If a refrigerator door opens he is ready to jump in.  Rustle loves his produce--tomatoes, watermelon, bell peppers, grapes, peaches, and will try anything he is given and quickly makes a mess with it.

When Rustle is out and about for his daily run we often use a scrub brush that we stroke his back with.  As he gets his back scratched with the brush Rustle’s tail actually wags, like a dog.  It is very cute and makes us smile every time we see this behavior--who knew? 

One day while he was out running, Rustle started pushing around the plastic lid to our trashcan, so I placed it on top of him.  He was not afraid of this, and in fact ran around with it on his back for some time, came out, then worked very hard at getting back under the lid.  Now, when placing the lid on the floor, Rustle can get under it within a matter of seconds.  He will run around with the trash can lid on his back for 30 or more minutes when you let him.  Who knew a trashcan lid was so entertaining?

Rustle recently did his first display at the St. Louis Science Center and demonstrated many of these fun characteristics.  He continues to educate his trainers on the amazing behaviors that Armadillos can exhibit.

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist

Meet Rustle, our Armadillo

Meet Rustle, one of the newest members of our staff!

Rustle is a nine-banded armadillo, the only one out of the twenty worldwide recognized species of armadillo found in the United States.  It is also the most abundant.  The other species can be found in Central and South America.  We obtained Rustle on July 5, 2010; he was about 6 months old and weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces.  Male armadillos can reach up to 17 pounds, while females can reach up to 13 pounds.  Rustle is growing quite quickly; as of August 23^rd, he weighed 4 pounds 9 ounces!  We are feeding him canned cat food, hard-boiled eggs, earthworms, and cooked yams.  In the wild these armadillos would forage for a variety of insects, insect larvae and other invertebrates like millipedes, centipedes, snails and earthworms.  They have also been observed eating some fruit, seeds and other vegetable matter in the wild as well as a few frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, skinks, small snakes, and reptile and bird eggs.

  Rustle enjoying his gourmet meal of canned cat food, hard-boiled eggs, earthworms, and cooked yams--yumm!

Rustle’s armor, called a carapace, consists of scutes or bony plates connected by tough bands of skin.  Each scute overlaps slightly with the one before it and the entire shell appears to move like an accordion as Rustle walks.  This armor covers the back, sides, head, tail, and outer part of the legs.  The ears, belly and inner part of the limbs are not covered by the armor, but have tough skin and some coarse hair.  Despite their name, nine-banded armadillos can have between 7 and 10 bands on their carapace.

  Close up of Rustle’s scutes

Nine-banded armadillos are generally nocturnal and spend most of their time foraging for food.  They have long, sharp claws which make them excellent diggers.  They also have been seen tearing bark off trees in search of insects.  Their tongues are sticky and rough to aid with their main diet of insects.  If alarmed, they often will leap vertically first and then run away with surprising speed to a nearby burrow they have dug.  Contrary to popular belief, this species of armadillo cannot roll up in a ball to protect itself.  They have very poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell and hearing.

 Close-up of Rustle’s powerful claws

 Here you can see Rustle's small eyes, long snout, large ears

These animals have been quickly expanding their range more north and east in the U.S.  They are becoming more established in Missouri and Kansas and are being seen in southern Nebraska, southern Illinois and southern Indiana and as far east as South Carolina.  Their western range seems to end in central New Mexico.  They range southward through Central and South America into Argentina and Uruguay.  They avoid extremes of wet and dry habitats.  They prefer sandy or clay soils for burrowing.  They can be found in a variety of habitats like pine forests, hardwood woodlands, grass prairies, salt marshes and coastal dunes.

  Sara holding Rustle, he was being quite squirmy!*

Rustle made his debut appearance at Birds in Concert.  Very soon Rustle will be brought to education programs at schools, libraries and at events where he will assist the World Bird Sanctuary in teaching children and adults about the animals that make up our earth!  If you can't wait until then, you can visit him at our Nature Center.  We are open from 8am – 5pm every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Submitted by Sara Oliver, World Bird Sanctuary Naturalist