What to Do if you Lose an Armadillo

Introduction

Recently I was thinking about my final year Project. I knew I wanted to study wild animals. That was a given, as they say. But from what angle?  Then I started to use my head. What have I been doing for the past three months? Whenever we veterinary students get presented with a dog or a cat, bull or horse, we take its vital statistics! Of course! I slapped my forehead to think how slow I was being. If we take the vital stats of all the conventional patients that come through the door, why can't the same be done for the 'exotics'.

Parameters.

And so that is what I decided I must do if I was going to study the wild species that arrive here. It didn't matter what it was, I was going to try and standardise the approach to the physical examination of that species.
Soon afterwards we received a Nine-Banded Armadillo here at the veterinary hospital. It was difficult to arrange a day with the resident vet to do the examination, and the usual breakdown in communication ensued. I spent the days that followed thinking about how I could get around what I call 'the human element' in veterinary medicine. I considered where I was at with my Project plan.   What did the vital statistics of a wild patient involve, anyway?

• Heart Rate
• Respiratory Rate
• Colour of Mucosae
• Hydration Level
• Body Temperature
• Capillary Refill Time

The next day I came in and, whilst performing my usual responsibilities as a trainee veterinarian, was dreaming of the day I could have an hour to examine the Armadillo.  I was in the Residents' office in the Agricultural Animal Clinical Sector when my classmate, Tricia, walked in and asked if I had been examing the Armadillo that day. "No," I replied. Tricia looked aghast. "He's gone," she announced, close to tears.
A search ensued, involving everybody, lecturers, residents, and students on call that day - and it was a Sunday. The gathered ensemble was magnificent. 30 people searching for an errant Armadillo.

Conclusion.

When searching for an Armadillo, don't do what some of my classmates did and look in trees. Armadillos are terrestrial creautures and often dig burrows for shelter. My advice is to think Armadillo and look under trees and bushes. That is where your lost Armadillo will reveal himself. My ony doubt was whether Armadillos had read the same books as me and were crepuscular and diurnal. It seems I am right. The next day at dusk the Armadillo revealed himself and crept out from under a hedge at dusk to explore the Veterinary Hospital's lawn. And tomorrow I will go and examine him.



Is this How an Escaped Nine-Banded Armadillo May Appear?   Like this Southern Tamandua?