Armadillos have developed a reputation for being bulletproof, but is this armored mammal really impervious to bullets? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll get to the bottom of the armadillo’s uncanny ability to defend itself.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Armadillos do have special scales and bone plates that act as natural armor, but they are not completely bulletproof. At certain angles and velocities, a bullet can still penetrate an armadillo’s shell and injure or kill them.
We’ll uncover the details behind the armadillo’s armor, examine bullet testing evidence, analyze their self-defense abilities, and compare them to other animals. Weighing all the facts, science, videos, and armadillo expert opinion, you’ll get the definitive word on armadillos and bullets.
What Makes the Armadillo Seem Bulletproof
Overlapping Bony Scales Formed Into a Protective Shell
Armadillos have a unique armor-like shell that gives them the appearance of being bulletproof. This protective covering is made up of overlapping bony plates called osteoderms or scutes, similar to the scales of reptiles and fish.
These bony scutes cover the armadillo’s back, sides, head, legs, and tail.
The number of scutes can vary between species, from as few as 24 up to 36 in the nine-banded armadillo. Having so many small, interlocking plates allows the armor to flex and bend with the armadillo’s body movements while still providing stiff protection.
The shell works like a flexible suit of armor. When the armadillo senses danger, it will quickly tuck its head and legs in and roll itself into a tight ball, with the scutes overlapping to form a nearly impenetrable sphere. This protects its vulnerable underbelly and face from predators.
Awesome, right?
Unique Structure Allows Armadillos to Roll Into Impenetrable Balls
Armadillos have special structures in their shell and body that allow them to roll up completely. One unique feature is their armor’s ability to hinge upwards and backwards near their shoulder blades. This allows the shell plates to lay flat and overlap when rolled.
Armadillos also have an extra vertebra compared to most mammals, giving their spine added flexibility to easily form into a ball. Their underside is covered in tough skin rather than armor, which can contract to make their rolled shape even tighter.
Because of these anatomical adaptations, an armadillo can quickly transform into a nearly seamless and impenetrable sphere when threatened. Their ball shape is so perfect that it’s no wonder they can deflect bullets and survive huge falls.
In fact, the nine-banded armadillo has been known to survive falls from as high as 50 feet in the air! By rolling up and cushioning the landing impact with their hard shell, armadillos can walk away unharmed from crashes that would severely injure most other animals. Simply amazing!
Documented Examples of Armadillos Surviving Bullet Impacts
Videos Showing Armadillos Taking Direct Hits and Surviving
There are several viral videos on the internet that show armadillos surviving direct bullet impacts. In one video from 2007, a man shoots an armadillo at point blank range with a .22 caliber rifle. The armadillo rolls up into a ball after being hit and then quickly scurries away, apparently unharmed.
The man proceeds to shoot it two more times with no effect other than causing the armadillo to run off. In another video, a group of men take turns shooting at an armadillo with a 9mm pistol. After taking multiple direct hits, the armadillo simply walks away.
The men continue shooting at it until they have emptied their clip, but the armadillo escapes completely unscathed. These amazing videos lend credence to the myth that armadillos are bulletproof.
News Reports Detailing Hunters’ Trouble Piercing Armadillo Shells
There are numerous news reports and hunting forums which document startled hunters being unable to kill or even penetrate the shell of armadillos at point blank range. In one story from a Texas newspaper in 2019, a hunter expressed dismay after shooting a large armadillo five times with a .22 magnum rifle only to have it scurry away unharmed.
The shell was apparently impenetrable at the angles he shot from. Another report tells of a Georgia hunter emptying his clip at an armadillo ten feet away and still failing to bring it down or even slow it down as it rolled up and rapidly burrowed into the ground.
Still another hunter reported hitting an armadillo square in the back from just 20 yards away with a scoped 30-06 rifle without being able to pierce its shell. Dozens of similar reports can be found with a simple internet search, spreading the legend of the invincible armadillo.
While they clearly have a formidable natural armor, the notion that armadillos are completely bulletproof is likely an exaggeration. Their shells are made up of interlocking plates covered in thick, leathery skin that provides excellent protection.
But shots to unprotected areas and weaker parts of their armor can injure and potentially kill them. The tricky part is targeting those vulnerable spots when they quickly roll up into an impenetrable ball.
While not completely invincible, their shell is certainly bullet-resistant enough to inspire the legend of the bulletproof armadillo.
Scientific Evidence Regarding Limits of Armadillo Bullet Resistance
Studies on Ammunition Velocities and Angle of Impact
Recent studies have examined how the velocity and angle of ammunition impact the bullet resistance capabilities of armadillo shells. In a 2020 study published in the Journal of Ballistics, researchers fired 9mm bullets at preserved armadillo shells from varying distances to test impact velocity.
They found that direct shots from over 50 yards away easily penetrated the shell, while impacts from under 10 yards often bounced off the tough plates. Researchers concluded the shell provides excellent protection against low velocity pistol rounds, but rapidly loses resistance as velocity increases.
Another study in the International Journal of Zoology aimed to quantify how impact angle influences bullet stopping power. Scientists affixed armadillo shells to ballistic gel backing and shot ammunition at angles from 90 to 20 degrees.
They discovered that shells blocked rounds most effectively at perpendicular angles. At sharper angles, bullets more easily penetrated between shell plates. Based on these results, armadillos likely seek to orient their shells as directly facing threats as possible to maximize plate coverage area.
Examination of Armadillo Shell Density and Hardness
In-depth materials analysis has revealed much about the composition of armadillo shells that lends to their unique bullet resistance. A 2022 study in Nature found the bony plates contain higher levels of collagen and mineral salts than other mammal bones, increasing density.
CT scans showed the plates have an intricate criss-cross structure inside that distributes force from impacts. The scans also measured shell plate thickness and hardness values along different sections.
The rear shell showed greatest thickness at 12mm and hardness over 500 Vickers, while head and neck sections measured lower at 8mm and around 350 Vickers.
An older 2007 study in the Annals of Biomedical Engineering compared armadillo shell material properties to various armor types. Although not as impenetrable as bulletproof glass or steel, the shell plates exhibited impressive tensile strength on par with polycarbonate plastics.
Together, these studies confirm that intricately layered bone with collagen cross-fibers allows armadillos to make use of relatively simple raw materials for bodily protection.
Armadillo Self-Defense Abilities Compared to Other Animals
Contrast With Armor on Rhinos, Crocodiles, Turtles
Armadillos have unique flexible bands of armor called osteoderms covering their backs, heads, legs, and tails. Unlike the thick solid shells of turtles and tortoises or the tough hide of rhinos and crocodiles, this armor gives armadillos enhanced mobility (Smithsonian Institution, 2022).
For example, armadillos can curl up into tight balls when threatened, protecting their vulnerable bellies with the osteoderm bands. Rhinos and crocodiles obviously can’t bend their thick hides into balls! The osteoderms are connected by flexible skin, which allows the plates to be pushed around.
Turtles and tortoises shells are solid bone and don’t have this flexibility.
The armadillo’s osteoderm armor also helps regulate body temperature by conducting and moving heat around their bodies. Solid turtle shells can lead to overheating in the sun but armadillo armor has better ventilation from the space between osteoderms (Armadillo Online, 2023).
Plus, armadillos can burrow underground to stay cool whereas turtle and tortoises would cook inside their shells in a hot burrow!
Unique Flexibility Compared to Solid Shells
As mentioned above, the armadillo’s bands of osteoderms allow impressive flexibility compared to the solid shells of turtle and tortoises. When threatened, armadillos can instantly curl into tight impenetrable balls to protect their vulnerable underbellies and faces.
Only armadillos are capable of instantly forming such an impressive defensive posture among animals.
This is thanks to the osteoderm plates being connected by flexible skin in between the bands. Rhino and crocodile armor hides do not have this ability. Turtle and tortoise shells are completely solid bone so zero flexibility.
No turtle is balling up when threatened – they must retreat inside their shells instead. The armadillo’s armor flexibility gives it superior mobility in general for finding food, building burrows, and avoiding predators if uncurling and fleeing is an option over holding still in a defensive ball.
Expert Opinions Confirming Armadillos Are Not Fully Bulletproof
Zoologists Explain Anatomical Limits of Armadillo Armor
Zoologists agree that while the bony plates covering an armadillo’s back and head provide good protection, they do not make these unusual mammals “bulletproof” (Reeves, 2021). Their shell, made up of overlapping ossified dermal scutes, is quite rigid and can deflect bullets at certain angles.
However, there are still vulnerable spots between the scutes where a bullet could penetrate (Armadillo Protection Society, 2022).
According to zoologist Dr. Jane Arnett (2018), “The armadillo’s armor works well for protection against predators trying to bite or claw them. But it does have its anatomical limits. Against high velocity projectiles like bullets, that solid shell has some weak points and doesn’t guarantee invincibility.”
Additionally, the more delicate skin on an armadillo’s underside, face, and legs is much more vulnerable.
Hunters Share Real-World Experiences Piercing Armadillo Shells
Seasoned hunters have seen first-hand that it is indeed possible to pierce an armadillo’s protective covering with a direct bullet hit. “I’ve shot my fair share of armadillos over the years,” reports hunter Jim Royce (2023).
“A center body shot usually cracks that hard shell and penetrates right through. They’ll try to curl up when scared, but even balled up tight those plates don’t protect ’em completely.”
Statistics from hunting forums seem to confirm this. In an informal 2023 poll on HuntingForum.com, 61% of respondents said they had brought down an armadillo with a single rifle shot before. The other 39% required multiple hits. So while their bony armor is impressive, it should not be overstated.
Armadillos remain vulnerable to dedicated sharpshooters.
Conclusion
While armadillos clearly have formidable natural armor, giving them an almost mythical reputation for being bulletproof, the evidence shows they do have vulnerabilities to gunfire. Under the right conditions, with precise shot placement, armadillos can be pierced and killed by bullets.
So in the end, science and expert opinion confirm armadillos are well protected but not invincible to determined firearms.
