Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Afrikaans name: Letermago Gordelakkedis

Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Photo © mgkuijpers - Fotolia.com

Cordylus cataphractus

The Armadillo Girdled Lizard is covered in plates and scales and spikes giving it an unusual look. Their defence mechanism when threatened, and they are away from the security of the rocks, is to roll into a ball by biting and hanging on to their tail.

It is found in dry portions of the Karoo in the extreme west of South Africa.

Armadillo Girdled Lizards make their home in cracks in rocks where they live in family groups.

These reptiles feed on insects.

Armadillo Girdled Lizards give birth to one or two babies towards the end of summer.

Their unusual appearance and habits make them popular in the pet industry which is a threat to their populations in the wild.

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References and further reading

A Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Graham Alexander and Johan Marais - Year Published: 2007 - Page: 261

Bill Branch's Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Bill Branch - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 157

Reptiles of Southern Africa - Author: Rod Patterson and Anothony Bannister - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 57