Armadillos may be invading Indiana

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -  

An animal common to southern states appears to be making its way into Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said four armadillos have been found dead as road kill in southern Indiana since 2003.

The first nine-banded armadillo was found near the Illinois state line in Gibson County. Others have been found in Dubois and Vanderburgh counties.

Indiana State University biology professor John Whitaker said armadillos can survive mild winters and may be expanding their range to Indiana.

Armadillos are mammals with a hard outer shell, about the size of a large house cat. Their main diet is insects and grubs.