The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has issued an alert asking residents to watch for nine-banded armadillos across the state.
The species, once native to Central and South America, is expanding its range northward due to warmer temperatures. Since the first confirmed North Carolina sighting in Macon County in 2007, reports have surged to over 900 across 70 counties. Verified sightings now include Gaston, Mecklenburg, Wilkes, and Madison Counties.
To track the spread, the Wildlife Commission is asking the public to email sightings to armadillo@ncwildlife.org with a photo, date, time, and location (GPS if possible).
The state hopes residents will help document the armadillo’s movement as it continues to spread eastward and northward.
