CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Armadillos can be a danger, but experts say not to worry.

I found out what to do if you spot one.

The TWRA also says armadillos with nine bands are increasing in our area, spreading from west to east.

"Nine-banded's do carry leprosy. It's a skin disorder that can be pretty nasty. However, it is curable. If you catch it early, it can be treated," Cole Abbott, the Ambassador Animal Zookeeper at the Chattanooga Zoo, said.

But it is very rare for humans to catch leprosy from armadillos, according to Abbott.

"It's gonna be a lot of scabs, a lot of infections. [Leprosy] could potentially lead to death, if not treated," Abbott said.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, leprosy is an infectious disease caused by bacteria.

"They definitely tear up yards. That's usually why they're considered pests around here, because a lot of people have gardens, and they'll go digging through them. If you see one doing that, you see evidence of that happening. There are companies that you can call kind of like exterminators, but they'll actually come and get catch the armadillo and relocate them," Abbott said.

John Clevenger spotted these nine-banded armadillos crossing his street, and had a few questions:

"How do you get rid of armadillos? If you've got armadillos that are tearing up your yards," Clevenger said.

So, what should you do if you spot these critters?

"These are wild animals. They can be dangerous. It's rare for them to hurt people. It's rare for people to catch leprosy, so your best bet is just to leave them alone," Abbott said.

The TWRA says armadillos and humans are the only known mammals to develop leprosy.