Whenever we think of armadillos, we’re usually reminded of the first scenes of ‘80s movies, beginning with armadillos on the highways across the desert, accompanied by the stray tumbleweed. However, this is not the case.

This little guy has made a backyard his home for the past 3 days. Now named Dilly, his mother is nowhere to be seen. Dilly is usually left to himself so that he doesn’t become too dependent, but user ‘TYarber37’ makes sure he always has plenty of water and leads him to bugs. He looks for her now when he hears her voice.

Although your first instinct might be to rescue a wild animal you find in your backyard, or anywhere else for that matter, it might be the smartest choice to call a professional handler and rehabilitator to pick up the animal. Especially if it a young individual like this baby armadillo.

If your property is in some rural area where wild critters are common visitors, then the local wildlife shelter should be on your speed-dial list. But before you contact the rescuers, make sure that the animal is indeed in need of assistance; check if it is hurt or otherwise incapable of running home on its own, but maintain a safe distance. If that is the case, wildlife rescuers will do a far better job.