[roger6087]

The last few times I visited my mom in Alabama, I noticed there were no dead possums on the side of the road. There was several dead armadillos however. Has the armadillo replaced the possum as the number one road kill in Alabama

[Reactionary]

Mmm, possum on the half-shell...

roger - do your momma n'them live in south Alabama? In north Alabama it's still a little unusual to see an armadillo.

Based on my travels yesterday through north Alabama and southern Tennessee, I'd say the number one road kill was deer (2), followed by dog (1), then something unrecognizable (1).

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by roger6087

The last few times I visited my mom in Alabama, I noticed there were no dead possums on the side of the road. There was several dead armadillos however. Has the armadillo replaced the possum as the number one road kill in Alabama

I occasionally visit y'all Alabama folks forum (as a noteable percentage of my family migrated to Texas from there after the War) and I surely did get an appreciative chuckle out of this one.

As some of y'all may know, the armadillo is Texas' state "small mammal" (the Longhorn is the "large" one! LOL). And back in the late 70's...a sub-genre of country music associated with Texas (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc) often referred to the armadillo as if it were uniquely Texan.

Actually, the critter has roots all over the South, especially in the geographical "Lower South" from Texas to Alabama, and is probably, in purely scientific terms, more "Southern" than is the possum!

Here is a neat little link and map on it all!

Armadillo Expansion

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Based on my travels yesterday through north Alabama and southern Tennessee, I'd say the number one road kill was deer (2), followed by dog (1), then something unrecognizable (1).

Can't resist adding that the substance you refer to, Reactionary, might have been the remains of a lawyer. As the old joke goes, the distinguishing characteristic of a skunk or lawyer as road kill will be that in the former instance, there will be skid marks...!

Oh man, I hope you are not an attorney. If so, no offence intended, of course!

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

In north Alabama it's still a little unusual to see an armadillo.

Au contraire!
I passed by 5 laying on the side of the I-65 between Decatur and Birmingham the other day!

[Reactionary]

I've only seen one armadillo north of Birmingham in the past three or four years (and that was on South Parkway). Maybe I'll see more on my way to the beach this Summer.

TexasReb - always good to hear from you.

Q: How many lawyers does it take to eat an armadillo?
A: Three. One to eat it, and two to watch for cars.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

I've only seen one armadillo north of Birmingham in the past three or four years (and that was on South Parkway). Maybe I'll see more on my way to the beach this Summer.

TexasReb - always good to hear from you.

Q: How many lawyers does it take to eat an armadillo?
A: Three. One to eat it, and two to watch for cars.

Early morning and late afternoon, around dusk, are the best times for armadillos, deer, etc.
Love the jokes!

[roger6087]

Originally Posted by Reactionary

Mmm, possum on the half-shell...

roger - do your momma n'them live in south Alabama? In north Alabama it's still a little unusual to see an armadillo.

My mom lives in northwest Alabama, Marion County.

[roger6087]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

I occasionally visit y'all Alabama folks forum (as a noteable percentage of my family migrated to Texas from there after the War) and I surely did get an appreciative chuckle out of this one.

As some of y'all may know, the armadillo is Texas' state "small mammal" (the Longhorn is the "large" one! LOL). And back in the late 70's...a sub-genre of country music associated with Texas (Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc) often referred to the armadillo as if it were uniquely Texan.

Actually, the critter has roots all over the South, especially in the geographical "Lower South" from Texas to Alabama, and is probably, in purely scientific terms, more "Southern" than is the possum!

Here is a neat little link and map on it all!

Armadillo Expansion

"Nine-banded armadillos live in a variety of habitats, but prefer brushy or forested areas which provide lots of cover."
There is a lot of brushy or forested areas in Marion County Alabama. Perfect for armadillos.

This is from the site you provided.

"
9. Why do armadillos get hit by cars so often?

Three reasons. First, armadillos will eat carrion, which in the US is often roadkill. Animals that eat roadkill often become roadkill themselves, because they are on the road more often than other animals are. Second, armadillos are nocturnal. It is hard to see animals by the side of the road at night, so it is harder for motorists to avoid hitting them. Third, armadillos jump up in the air when they feel threatened. This often works to startle a predator, but against an automobile it doesn’t work; they just end up jumping right into the front or underside of the car, with disastrous results."

Maybe this is the reason I haven't seen any dead possums, the armadillos ate them.

[Rakin]

Armadillos were almost wiped out here in Tx back in 70's. You'd see them laying on the side of the road holding a bottle of Lone Star Beer. Must have been the drinkin and crossing the road that got em.