State of Illinois Puts Out BOLO on Armadillos and Others

Armadillos aren’t native to the Prairie State but they have been within Illinois borders for several years now. Little by little they are adapting and moving north.

Suspect - The Little Armored Ones

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is asking residents to keep an eye out for armadillos in Central and Northern Illinois. These are areas they haven’t gotten comfortable in yet. Yet being the important word.

Already established in Southern Illinois IDNR wants to keep tabs on migration

Armadillos traditionally are warm/hot climate animals, but have been moving northward in the United States. They don’t have heavy fur, and live off of bugs. Cold winters are not conducive to a growing armadillo population. They burrow into the ground and are considered pests as their digging can compromise building foundations and damage gardens and yards. There have been issues with armadillos being a carrier of leprosy, but that hasn’t been detected in the ones tested in Illinois.

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In addition to armadillos the state of Illinois also asks that you also keep an eye out for other wild animals in the state including black bears, grey wolves, feral swine, mountain lions, nutria and fishers.

Additional wild Illinois mammals to be aware of

Should you see any of these animals contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.