Armadillos were so named by the Spanish because of their tendency to curl up in a defensive ball when threatened. The name armadillo means little armored one in Spanish. They’re covered by a tough layer of epidermal scales called ‘scutes’. Scutes are actually bone with a layer of horn on top. This armor is particularly effective against fanged and clawed predators. The underside of the armadillo is actually quite vulnerable. It’s simply covered with soft, downy fur. Here are some useful tips if you plan to keep an armadillo as a pet. First of all, you should check and see whether armadillos can legally be kept within your state. There are states where its illegal to keep them as pets in captivity. Some species of armadillos are endangered and having one in your backyard is definitely outside the law. Armadillos are nocturnal mammals and they love to dig. This causes quite a bit of conflict with their diurnal owners. You need to understand that they’re awake when you sleep and are asleep when you’re awake. You should keep your pet armadillo in a wide, fenced-in yard where it can romp and play to its heart’s content without having to disturb your slumber. Armadillos are rather territorial creatures and you may not want to keep a pair unless you have a big enough enclosure. Armadillos are notorious diggers so your fence should go down at least three or four feet deep to keep your pet from digging its way out. In the wild, armadillos use their formidable claws to dig for grubs, and worms. They’ll eat fruits too. You can feed your pet armadillo fresh fruits, bait worms, and crunchy insects like crickets and grasshoppers. They might even nibble on some canned dog food. Be sure to have a conveniently placed water dish where they can drink their fill. Armadillos love to swim in water. They float by inflating their stomach and intestines with air, otherwise, they’ll sink. Your pet armadillo will love frolicking around a pool or pond. Swimming will also cool them down during the warm summer months. Armadillos are found in several continents and can tolerate a wide range of weather conditions. Although if you live in an area with freezing weather, you should keep your pet armadillo indoors where it’s warmer, they’ll die if they get exposed to freezing temperatures. The best thing to do with your pet armadillo is to leave it alone. As a matter of fact, having too many people around may stress out your armadillo and cause it to attack. You need to keep in mind that unlike dogs, they’re not domesticated creatures and will not tolerate too much cuddling and petting. Collars are definitely not a good idea. They’ll simply slide of your pet armadillos head when it curls into a ball. Besides, who wants to walk their pet at three in the morning? Keeping an armadillo can be a rewarding and fun experience as long as you don’t expect a lot of tameness out of what is essentially a wild creature.