Do armadillos have leprosy?
Armadillos CAN have leprosy, but that does not mean that they all do.
In Texas, about 4% to 10% of armadillos seem to have it.
In Louisiana, up to 53% have been found to be infected.
In Florida, 3 thousand armadillos were examined over 12 years. None were found to be infected, but the method of examination used was not very accurate.
Why are they susceptible leprosy?
Humans and armadillos are the only animals known to be susceptible to leprosy. This is because the disease needs a cool body temperature to develop.
Leprosy attacks the cooler parts of the body such as the nose and ears. Armadillo body temperatures range between 82.4 and 91.4 degrees F, compared to 98.6 degrees F for Humans. Because of this, leprosy in armadillos is more severe than in Humans.
How many people have gotten leprosy from armadillos?
Not very many. In the USA, leprosy is rare in Humans. People who have gotten it from armadillos are suspected to have eaten under-cooked armadillo meat, or handled armadillos frequently.
Are armadillos dangerous?
If they are treated with respect, no. If dillos in your area are infected, it's a good idea to avoid touching them. If one shows signs of infection, definatly avoid contact. Also, armadillos do not bite, but they may claw if handled wrong.