Have you seen an armadillo in your Charlotte garden? North Carolina is tracking them

If you see a nine-banded armadillo in North Carolina, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission wants you to let them know.

The nine-banded armadillo is known for its “armor-like skin and long, scaly tail” and is named for the bands across its midsection, according to the NCWRC. It’s also the only mammal with a shell.

There have been nearly 900 reported armadillo sightings in 70 counties in the last 16 years, including Mecklenburg, NCWRC says.

Observers can participate in the N.C. Armadillo project by uploading photos of the animal to the iNaturalist app, available for iPhone and Android, according to a press release from the agency.

Armadillo reports can also be made by emailing armadillo@ncwildlife.org with a photo of the armadillo when it was observed and where it was kept. The NCWRC suggests sending GPS coordinates when reporting armadillo sightings, but detailed location descriptions are also acceptable.

Why is NC tracking armadillos?

State wildlife officials are tracking armadillos to determine how far they have expanded in North Carolina.

Freezing conditions can cause armadillos to starve and freeze to death, but since the state is experiencing fewer days of sub-freezing weather, armadillos -- which are native to Central and South America -- are expanding northward, according to the NCWRC.

“Whether armadillos continue spreading beyond their current range will be largely determined by climate,” according to Colleen Olfenbuttel, the agency’s black bear and furbearer biologist. “The number of counties with confirmed observations is 28, stretching from Cherokee to Dare counties. This makes it likely the armadillo is expanding its range naturally throughout North Carolina, rather than being helped by human intervention.”

Are armadillos dangerous?

Armadillos are generally docile, but they can cause damage to your property.

The mammals dig into gardens, flower beds, and lawns, damaging tree roots and uprooting ornamental plants.

The NCWRC says shooting the animals is an effective solution for armadillos causing property damage since there are no known effective repellents. Creating barriers around smaller areas can also keep armadillos away.