Meet the state mammal of Texas: the nine-banded armadillo. Ranging across Texas and through most of the southeastern United States, the nine-banded is the most widespread of all armadillos and the only one found in North America. Abbey and Daemon do some armadillo myth-busting, dive into their defense mechanisms and describe what makes this mammal so unique.

To learn more information about the sources and references for today’s episode, visit:

• American Museum of Natural History, Glyptodonts: https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/primitive-mammals/glyptodonts
• Animal Diversity Web, Dasypus novemcinctus nine-banded armadillo: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dasypus_novemcinctus/
• Animalia, Nine-Banded Armadillo: https://animalia.bio/nine-banded-armadillo
• The National Wildlife Federation, Nine-Banded Armadillo: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Mammals/Nine-Banded-Armadillo
• Texas Parks & Wildlife, Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus): https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/dillo/

Hosted by the Witte Museum’s Abigail Jacks, Environmental Science Education Manager, and Daemon Piña, Health and Wellness Education Manager. Produced by Alyssa Sailor-Tynes, Digital Marketing Manager.

For more information and to visit the Witte Museum, visit www.WitteMuseum.org.