An armadillo has been found dead on the side of a road in Ohio, marking the first instance in which experts believe the species has naturally migrated to the state. The small mammal was found near Oxford, Ohio, in early September, and it was likely the victim of roadkill. Wildlife researchers brought the animal to Miami University, according to a post on Facebook.
Prior to the animal's discovery, there had been four other armadillo sightings in Ohio, but researchers believed these animals were "stowaways" that hitched a ride on vehicles that drove through their habitats further south. The September discovery marks what researchers believe is the first natural migration of the animal in the state. The discovery in Ohio comes as experts and laypeople alike have noted a northward expansion of the armadillo, a mammal native to South America and more typically found in the Southern U.S.
A 2025 study from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said that since the nine-banded armadillo was first seen in the U.S. in Texas in 1849, it has been gradually expanding northward and eastward. Newsweek reached out to the study's author, Brett DeGregorio, by email on Tuesday for comment.
The armadillo is unique armored mammal known for its hard shell and exceptional digging abilities. According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), armadillos are typically the size of a house cat, have little fur, and have a tough shell. Since they have little fur, armadillos are highly susceptible to hypothermia and typically are not found in colder states.
However, they are also exceptional swimmers and can hold their breath for six minutes when underwater, according to the National Park Service. They often give birth to identical quadruplets. Many experts believe climate change is influencing the armadillo's northward and eastward creep.
"This rapid range expansion has been a result of land use change, climate change, and at least one human-facilitated release in Florida," the USGS study said. According to experts, climate change is influencing the armadillo's habitat because as temperatures rise, it can create a more suitable environment for the mammal, which thrives in warmer temperatures. "It will be interesting to monitor when armadillos begin to regularly reach and establish in new states such as Michigan, Wisconsin, and Virginia," the study said.
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