While sitting quietly in the grass in my Arkansas yard, I had an unexpected moment with a young Nine-banded Armadillo. One of four pups exploring that day, this particular little one walked right up and gave my boot a thorough sniff. It didn’t hesitate, clearly unbothered by my presence.
These small mammals are known for their armor-like shells and strong digging claws, but it’s their sense of smell that really guides them. Young armadillos often forage in small sibling groups, learning about their environment by scent. In this case, even my boot was worth investigating.
Nine-banded Armadillos are common throughout the southern U.S., and I’ve seen them regularly around my property. Still, encounters this close are rare. I remained still, letting the pup explore without interruption. These animals aren’t aggressive, but they’re usually cautious, this one was just unusually bold.
Watching wildlife behave naturally, especially so close to home, is always rewarding. Moments like these remind me of the importance of patience and presence when observing nature.
If you’d like to see more about this group of armadillo pups, check out Baby Nine-banded Armadillos in My Yard.
Photo Tip:
A zoom lens like the Canon RF 100-500mm is especially handy for moments like this. Even though the armadillo pup came in close, I was able to zoom out to 100mm and shoot straight down from where I was sitting. The flexibility of a zoom lens let me quickly reframe without moving and potentially startling the animal. If you’re photographing wildlife at unpredictable distances, a versatile zoom helps you adapt fast while keeping your subject in sharp focus.