Health warning to outdoors types

We are starting to see lots of armadillos in our area of KY, mostly roadkill but many of us have seen live ones. As a taxidermist, I have gotten several calls about mounting them for clients. I even had one guy say price was no object, he wanted one mounted that bad. I have a one-word answer to them that has changed their minds each and every time---LEPROSY!

Armadillos are known to carry leprosy, the only known animals to do so. Florida is having several cases of the disease now and all the victims have one common link--they have all been in contact with armadillos.
Experts warn Floridians to steer clear of armadillos to avoid... | www.actionnewsjax.com

As outdoors types, we are going to be more likely to come in contact with them. Best to just steer clear of them. Taxidermy is my vocation and the $$ would be nice but it is not worth the risk IMO.

I had heard that before. Thanks for the confirmation.

Possum on the half shell. They on the move in our area. My neighbor ran over one that had burrowed in the ground while mowing. Didn't kill it, but the dogs finished it off. The dogs are my concern. There is no leash law in our area.

I knew they could carry leprosy and warned my neighbors.

Never heard that one before.

Heard that down here in 'ssippi years ago. Twenty five years ago we only saw them in the deep southern part of the state, but they have gradually migrated north. Stay away from these guys!!nonono

While in the army in Texas was told the same thing. Passed it on to several over the years but get a lot of eye rolls.

I wonder how that will affect the yotes. I'm sure they will keep the armadillos thinned down. But will they get lypersy?

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Originally Posted by Joey Clark

I wonder how that will affect the yotes. I'm sure they will keep the armadillos thinned down. But will they get lypersy?

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I doubt the "yotes" would bother them. Too much armor and prolly see them as a not so easy meal. And who knows, they might sense that there is something wrong w/ that critter. You know animals have a way to sense things that us humans don't! But you have a good point.:twocents

I tried a little when stationed in Beeville, Texas. Really greasy. Be careful if you shoot one. I shot one on watch one night. It was acting weird. Used a 38 both shots ricocheted off it. It jumped straight up in the air both times finally died later from the concussions.

Sounds like you western boys need to develop a new past time when not fishing. Possum on the half shell hunting! Maybe get a tv show hunting them out of a helicopter or better rig a drown with a gun and get after them! When they make it to my neck of the woods, I'm lock and loading, they will never make it out alive.

II have heard that one myself. Most of the ones I saw down south had a drinking problem. You could see them all over the side of the road holding beer cans. Ha

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Originally Posted by armyman

Heard that down here in 'ssippi years ago. Twenty five years ago we only saw them in the deep southern part of the state, but they have gradually migrated north. Stay away from these guys!!nonono

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Same here in Arkansas. Now they're everywhere.

Mexicans eat them.

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Originally Posted by smashdn

Mexicans eat them.

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I had a wonderful come-back to that post but it would probably get me some time in the corner or worse so I'll leave it alone.