Bernheim Confirms Armadillo Living in Forest
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum has confirmed a northern nine-banded armadillo living on its grounds and is asking the public to help name it.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Wildlife
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Bernheim Forest and Arboretum confirmed a northern nine-banded armadillo living in its forest, first confirmed at the site in 2023. The public is voting on a name from four options, with voting closing Friday, Nov. 20.
Why it matters
Armadillos have expanded their range farther north as temperatures have risen, and the confirmed presence at Bernheim reflects that shift for Louisville-area residents. The forest's natural areas team is tracking the animal to better understand its movements in the region.
The sighting was documented through cameras set up by Bernheim's natural areas team to monitor potential burrows, with the first armadillo captured on camera in summer 2024. Bernheim has narrowed the name choices to four, and the total number of armadillos at the site remains unconfirmed.
The players
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum
Bernheim Forest and Arboretum is a nature preserve and arboretum in Clermont, Kentucky, south of Louisville, known for its forest trails and conservation programs.
The details
Bernheim's natural areas team set up cameras to monitor potential burrows, and crews captured the first armadillo on camera in summer 2024. The public can vote on the animal's name through a Tap-to-vote link before voting closes.
Timeline
2023: Bernheim first confirmed an armadillo at the forest.
Summer 2024: Crews captured the first armadillo on camera.
Friday, Nov. 20, 2026: Voting for the armadillo's name closes.
Seasonal Patterns
The confirmed armadillo at Bernheim fits a documented northward expansion of the northern nine-banded armadillo as temperatures have risen across the Southeast and Midwest. The Louisville-area sighting marks a local data point in a range shift that has been tracked over recent decades.
Louisville-area residents who visit Bernheim can watch for the armadillo and may take part in naming it through the public vote before Friday, Nov. 20. Residents should not expect any change to forest access from the sighting, as the source reports none.
The takeaway
Wildlife ranges shift as climate changes, and local sightings like this one help track where species are settling. Residents who spot unusual animals can report them to nature preserves like Bernheim.
Further reading
Explore more Wildlife coverage for Louisville readers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WLKY.
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