Animal Hydration - Thirsty Armadillo

03.23.2007 - Now here's a thirsty critter! This is a Nine-Banded Armadillo, after a day of being stuck in a trap. I usually work very hard to keep the animals cool. I set traps in the shade, I cover traps when I can, and I always retrieve the animals as early as possible. The worst thing to do is to leave an animal in a cage all day, particularly out in the sun and without water! That is a very inhumane thing to do, and it causes the animal to suffer, and perhaps suffer heat stroke or death. It's important to get the animal removed and relocated quickly. In a case in which I believe an animal is thirsty, I give it water. In the case of a thirsty American Alligator, I give it Gatorade. I didn't want this armadillo to have to search for water for a long time, so I simply held it, and got out the garden hose, and gave the animal a drink. I've given raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and all manner of critters water from the hose or a bottle. If they're thirsty, they'll drink it up. I was most pleased with this armadillo as it happily lapped up the water. It looked so refreshed and satisfied on a hot Florida spring afternoon.  It's making me want a glass of water right now!  I'm going to  go get one.