We have a nice Tangelo tree that produces some very juicy fruit. Just as they started to ripen we noticed a lot of them on the ground and stripped out peels hanging in the tree. We were losing a half dozen a night. We thought it was an Opossum…..but the branches that many of the peels were hanging from were so fragile they would have been broken by an Opossum……..I remembered my Mom telling me that there were Fruit Rats about. So I did some reading up on them….and it sure sounds like they were the culprits.
Jim saw a couple one night and they were fairly large…this is the only trap we have so he thought he’d give it a try….I doubt they could not have gotten out of this…but we had nothing to lose….
We caught one of the baby coons one night….let it go. Then a few mornings ago I was out checking the place out and feeding the bunnies when I spotted our next visitor…an Armadillo.
Now…..I wouldn’t exactly call it cute….and I’ve never really had a good look at the face and ears. Usually if you see one they are going away from you.
Jim isn’t very happy with this little guy….he spends a lot of time filling up the holes it digs….but after getting a good look at it….he agreed with me….it could stay.
I was surprised when it just kind of moseyed on off…..taking it’s time….but once it was close to the tree it kicked into over-drive and was off like a shot….Some of the critters that stop or live here can be destructive…this one digs some fairly good sized holes….but then…I get to see one ….and it’s all worth it.
Now that sucker looks huge, LOL
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
The first armadillo I ever saw was in the Texas Hill Country. My brother-in-law decided to catch it so I could get a closer look. A funnier sight was not to be found, that one kicked into over-drive with Ron in close pursuit. There was a barbed wire fence involved, dillo went under, Ron cleared it is a style that would have been envied by an Olympic hurdler. Like you said, I mostly saw the retreating view, with us howling with laughter. Hadn't though of that in years till I saw this. Happy New Year wishes to you in FL from us in SD.
ReplyDeleteThose critters are weird looking. It really did take off once in cover LOL. Helen
ReplyDeleteSo I guess you'll be sharing the fruit. Pretty cool to see an armadillo up close.
ReplyDeleteGood video of the Armadillo! We have them sometimes, too. I hate it when they dig holes everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one of those! Enjoyed your post and the little video.
ReplyDeleteHow cool having your very own armadillo!!! Very jealous!
ReplyDeleteI really am amazed at the visitors you get. Such variety.
ReplyDeleteLove that video. He certainly went up a few gears at the end.
Nice to know that despite his behaviour, you're gonna let him stay.
That's nice..., catch and release. ~bangchik
ReplyDeleteHi there! I'm a first time visitor from a comment you made at Kayak Paddling Tales. Are you in Florida? I've read that people in Florida like armadillos because they eat fire ants. Maybe he/she was digging for ants. ~Suzanne
ReplyDeleteSuzanne...yes, we live in Florida..and I do appreciate the holes he digs...most of them were ant hills. I'm afraid my yard is not a show place. Between the Armadillos and the wild Hogs..everything gets pretty tore up..but the birds love it here..must be all the bugs. No chemicals used on the yard. I have a few hundred Robins out there right now.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I'm in Indiana. Hundreds of Robins! What a sight. Exotic critters. Your yard sounds wonderful to me. I had to leave for awhile, but I'm back to go through more of your posts. I love nature and animals and am enjoying your blog thoroughly.
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