An unusual wildlife visitor to Iowa has been occasionally spotted in Greene County.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Aaron Arthur says armadillos have been migrating into Iowa and there have been a few sightings in Greene County, including Dunbar Slough, another one in southern Greene County, as well as several other southern Iowa counties.

“Armadillo range is getting bigger. They’re coming from Missouri. It’s becoming almost a new resident with their range expanding. So I think you’re going to have more common sightings of those coming through the state. We’re on their northern part of their habitat zone, so it’s not uncommon to see them, but it’s becoming more common.”   

Arthur adds armadillos are a protected, non-gaming wildlife in Iowa. He encourages anyone that sees an armadillo to report it to the DNR, so they can keep track of where these animals are found.