CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Armadillos can be a danger, but experts say not to worry.
I found out what to do if you spot one.
The TWRA also says armadillos with nine bands are increasing in our area, spreading from west to east.
“Nine-banded’s do carry leprosy. It’s a skin disorder that can be pretty nasty. However, it is curable. If you catch it early, it can be treated,” Cole Abbott, the Ambassador Animal Zookeeper at the Chattanooga Zoo, said.
But it is very rare for humans to catch leprosy from armadillos, according to Abbott.
“It’s gonna be a lot of scabs, a lot of infections. [Leprosy] could potentially lead to death, if not treated,” Abbott said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, leprosy is an infectious disease caused by bacteria.
“They…
