(WTHR) - The Hoosier state now has breeding populations of armadillos.

According to a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), armadillos have colonized much of southeastern Indiana and continue to spread further north and west into the state.

The USGS says armadillos seem to be colonizing and spreading along the Wabash and White Rivers. It also estimates Marion County and all of the counties around it may have breeding armadillo populations, meaning they are “established.”

Since 2003, 205 armadillos have been spotted in Indiana.

The first armadillo in Indiana was reported in 2003 in Gibson County.

Experts believe they came from Illinois because the Ohio River is too wide for them to cross over from Kentucky.

What to know about armadillos

Indiana’s armadillos are nine-band

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