No one knows why the lowly nine-banded armadillo, often called Texas Roadkill chose to make its way from the southern regions of Mexico all the way to the United States regions of Mississippi, Tennessee, and even Kentucky. Something drove the poor defenseless beast from its familiar surroundings, across political and geographical borders, in search of a new beginning.
Perhaps the climate change is
responsible. Perhaps the population count of armadillos became overbearing. Or,
maybe the little creature got tired of the jokes.
"Why did the Armadillo cross the road?" had been asked
one too many times!
Perhaps the food got really bad in Mexico, and the starving 9-banded, four-footed, mammal had had enough of tacos, rice, and refried beans. Perhaps it decided it needed grits, and knew where he could get them: Mississippi & Tennessee, or any truly Southern state.
Let's look at the individual story
of 
Juan Armadillo, pictured
here.
(mexicanus armadillus)
Actually Juan is nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), the most numerous one and the only one found in the US.
You'll find more (and more scientifically
correct!) information here:
Nine-Banded Armadillo
History by Joshua P.
Nixon
And a personal favorite: Nine-Banded Armadillo Music!
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