You remember the General Lee. You definitely remember Daisy Duke. But if you grew up glued to the TV on Friday nights in the early eighties, there is this one specific, bizarre image that probably lives rent-free in the back of your brain: a taxidermied armadillo sitting right on top of a man's head. It sounds like a fever dream. It wasn't. The Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat is a real thing, and honestly, it’s one of the most chaotic fashion choices in the history of network television.
It didn't belong to Bo or Luke. It wasn't even a Boss Hogg accessory, though that would’ve made a certain kind of sense given his penchant for excess. No, the armadillo was the signature look of Cooter Davenport’s cousin, Burl Tolliver.
The show was already a caricature of Southern life. It was fast cars, corrupt local government, and a whole lot of denim. But when the writers decided to lean into the "eccentric hillbilly" trope, they didn't just go for a dusty cap or a straw hat. They went full roadkill.
The Episode That Gave Us the Dukes of Hazzard Armadillo Hat
Let’s talk about the actual appearance. Most people misremember who wore it. While Ben Jones, who played Cooter, is the face of the Hazzard garage, the armadillo was actually sported by Don Pedro Colley. Colley played Sheriff Little of Chickasaw County, but he also had a recurring role as Burl.
In the episode "The Treasure of Hazzard," which aired during the third season in 1980, we get the full glory of the Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat. Burl Tolliver rolls into the scene, and there it is. A literal, dried-out armadillo shell fashioned into headgear. It wasn't a prop made of plastic. It looked—and likely was—a genuine piece of Southern folk art. Or folk horror, depending on your stance on preserved mammals.
Why did they do it?
Television in the late 70s and early 80s was a different beast. Character actors needed "bits." A hat wasn't just a hat; it was a personality trait. For Burl, the armadillo signaled that he was a man of the woods, someone who lived by his own rules and probably didn't spend a lot of time in a traditional barbershop. It was a visual shorthand for "this guy is local color."
📖 Related: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
How Taxidermy Became a Fashion Statement
You can’t talk about the Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat without talking about the actual practice of making these things. It sounds wild today, but armadillo handbags and hats were actually semi-common souvenirs in the American South and Mexico during the mid-20th century.
Artisans would take the shell of the nine-banded armadillo, which is naturally bony and rigid because of the ossified scutes. They’d dry it out, sometimes varnish it until it shone like a new penny, and then curl the tail around to meet the head to create a handle or a brim.
On the show, the hat was basically an inverted shell.
It sat high. It looked heavy. Honestly, Don Pedro Colley deserved an award for keeping a straight face while wearing a prehistoric-looking creature on his noggin. It’s the kind of prop that would have a "How-To" thread on Reddit today, but back then, it was just another Tuesday in Hazzard County.
The Cultural Impact of a Roadkill Accessory
Is it weird? Yes. Is it iconic? Absolutely.
The Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat represents a specific era of TV production where "more is more." The show was a massive hit, often pulling in twenty million viewers an episode. When you have that kind of reach, even the smallest, strangest details become part of the collective consciousness.
👉 See also: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Fans of the show—the die-hards who go to "Hazzard Run" events and restore old Dodge Chargers—still talk about it. It’s a litmus test for true fandom. If you know about the armadillo, you weren't just a casual viewer; you were there for the deep lore.
There is a certain irony in the fact that a show famous for its stunts and car crashes is also remembered for a piece of taxidermy. But that was the magic of the show. It balanced high-octane action with genuine, if exaggerated, rural charm. The armadillo was the peak of that aesthetic.
Where is the Hat Now?
The fate of the original Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat is a bit of a mystery. TV props from that era weren't always preserved with the reverence we show them now. Often, they were tossed into a bin at Warner Bros. or taken home by a crew member as a joke.
Some fans claim to have seen it in private collections or at small roadside museums dedicated to the show. Cooter’s Place, the museum and shop run by Ben Jones, has a massive collection of memorabilia, but the armadillo is an elusive beast.
If you wanted one today, you’d have to scour eBay or Etsy for "vintage armadillo purse" and try to DIY it. But be warned: real armadillo shells from forty years ago are fragile. They crack. They smell like old attics.
Recreating the Look (If You Dare)
If you are looking to pay homage to Burl Tolliver for a cosplay or a themed party, you have a few options. Buying a real taxidermy armadillo is ethically murky and legally complicated in some states due to wildlife laws.
✨ Don't miss: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
Most modern fans go the synthetic route.
- 3D Printing: You can find scans of armadillo shells online. A bit of brown and tan acrylic paint, a matte clear coat, and some foam padding on the inside, and you’ve got a replica that won't attract flies.
- Foam Smithing: High-density EVA foam is the best friend of any prop builder. You can heat-form the curves of the shell and use a dremel tool to etch in the "bands" of the armor.
- The Vintage Route: Occasionally, you'll find the old 1950s armadillo bags at estate sales. They are usually missing the "hat" structure, but with some clever wiring, you can convert one.
Why We Still Care About Hazzard County
The show ended in 1985. We are decades removed from the Duke boys jumping over washouts. Yet, the Dukes of Hazzard armadillo hat remains a talking point because the show was unapologetically itself. It didn't try to be sophisticated. It didn't try to be "prestige TV." It was about family, fast cars, and occasionally wearing a leathery mammal as a fashion choice.
There’s a lesson there for modern creators. Sometimes the weirdest, smallest detail is what sticks. People might forget the plot of season three, episode fourteen, but they will never forget the guy with the armadillo on his head.
It’s a piece of Americana. It’s ridiculous. It’s slightly gross. It’s perfect.
Next Steps for the Hazzard Enthusiast:
- Check Local Laws: Before you buy any vintage taxidermy online, ensure your state allows the possession of armadillo remains. Some states have strict "found" wildlife or "salvage" laws.
- Visit a Replica Museum: If you're near Nashville or Gatlinburg, stop by Cooter’s Place. Even if the armadillo isn't on display that day, the sheer volume of screen-used props will give you a better sense of the show's chaotic production design.
- Source High-Quality Reference Photos: If you are building a replica, don't rely on memory. The "Treasure of Hazzard" episode is available on most streaming platforms and DVD sets. Pause the scene where Burl first enters—the lighting is best there to see the texture and how the tail is secured.