armadillo sporran

[tyger]

Actually, they don't contract leprosy because they do not develop the disease. They do get infected, and they do (can) become carriers of the mycobacterium. A fine distinction, but an important one we should all remember. There is a world of difference between getting an infection, and developing a disease.

[Zardoz]

OK, I think we need to show Dasypus novemcinctus Mexicanus a little more respect!

Actually the the armadillo in question is Dasypus Novemcinctus, the Nine Banded Armadillo. Novemcinctus mexicanus is a slightly different critter. The 9 Banded 'dillo is the Texas State small mammal, the large being the Long Horn Steer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-banded_Armadillo

The 'dillo is not our only armor plated Texas animal, we have an armored lizard for the state reptile, Phrynosoma Cornutum, the Texas Horned Lizard or "Horny Toad" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_horned_lizard

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Texas_symbols

[ForresterModern]

We know what a sporran from the longhorn steer would look like. Anybody out there working on a Horny Toad Sporran?

[Tartan Hiker]

Actually, they don't contract leprosy because they do not develop the disease. They do get infected, and they do (can) become carriers of the mycobacterium. A fine distinction, but an important one we should all remember. There is a world of difference between getting an infection, and developing a disease.

True...I was a bit careless with my language.

However, humans can indeed contract Hanson's from contact with armadillos, as was demonstrated by the poor saps who did just that after they went into business collecting dillos for the Hanson's research unit that used to operate out of Carrville, Louisiana.

[tyger]

Not to kick a dead armadillo here, but D. novemcinctus Mexicanus is the 9-banded armadillo that we have in the USA. Mexicanus is one of 6 recognized subspecies of 9-banded armadillos. To wit, re-read the Wikipedia source to see that (Mexicanus) "....has been rapidly expanding its range both north and east within the United States. The armadillo crossed the Rio Grande from Mexico prior to the 20th century; by 1995 the species had become well-established in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and had been sighted as far afield as Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Georgia, and South Carolina. A decade later, the armadillo had become established in all of those areas and continued its migration, being sighted as far north as southern Nebraska, southern Illinois, and southern Indiana.[3]"

I have had the pleasure of a long relationship with this animal, through various aspects of its unique physiologic adapations to its environment, and the obvious value as a laboratory animal for the study of spontaneous disease. Long live the armadillo, as long as it stays out of my pastures!

[tyger]

ForresterModern- I can see a horny toad sporran.......It would be 5 heads on the flap, the body of the sporran being a patchwork of hides. Get the Lutan-F kit from VanDykes!

[kiltedsawyer]

It has been a few months (actually, a year!) and I have been thinking.......how in the world am I going to make this armadillo of mine into a sporran? Got any suggestions for me? I figure on flattening it into a low dome, but since the animal has armor plates that are partially calcified, it will have to be soaked in a de-cal solution for a couple of days before working it. I have glass eyes from VanDykes, to make it look its typically crafty and sneaky self.

Tyger,
I have an armadillo shell and also a skull if that is any help to you. I also have one that was stuffed in Costa Rica, but that one I won't part with.
Respectfully,
David

[Colonel MacNeal]

And don't forget that they are the only mammal species other than humans that are known to contract Hanson's disease (leprosy). That has to count for something.

My sporran recommendation is to make tassels out of something hard...that way the drumming will announce your arrival well before your corporeal appearance.

That's another reason I suggested rattlesnake tails.

[Bigkahuna]

I am very interested in how this turns out. I think you may need alot of boiling in order to soften the shell enough to get a good shape. While we're at it, how about a snapping turtle sporran??

[cavscout]

by 1995 the species had become well-established in... Georgia..."

I can say they have made it to Ft. Stewart Georgia. While waiting around on the mortar range to practice calling in fire missions, one unwitting 'dillo wandered right through our lines. This little critter quickly became the center of attention as an impromptu game of catch ensued. It was on that day that I learned 'dillo's can jump and are very agile and quick....at least when chased by a bored platoon Ahhhhhhh, good times