The squat, sharp-clawed mammals are confirmed carriers of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria behind leprosy, or Hansen’s disease. And southeastern states where nine-banded armadillos lumber in ...

while other research has found that as many as 20 percent of armadillos naturally carry leprosy. There’s also a strain of leprosy found only in Florida from armadillos living in the Merritt ...

An curved arrow pointing right. Although leprosy is still endemic to some parts of the world, its presence in the United States is relatively rare. But a recent outbreak in Florida is bringing ...

First thing first, some armadillos carry leprosy — but not these guys! And there are several other characteristics that make these critters unique. Screaming Hairy Armadillos are the smallest of ...