Origin
The Armadillo lizard (Cordylus cataphractus) is an animal endemic to the desert areas of South Africa.
It is known by the names: typical girdled lizard, armadillo lizard, golden armadillo lizard or spiny-tailed lizard armadillo.
The wild population is threatened due to capture from the natural environment for sale. If you ever want to buy such a beautiful animal, make sure it is born in captivity.
His behavior may have inspired the famous "Ouroboros" myth in which the character is shaped like a circle.
Feeding The Armadillo Lizard
It feeds on invertebrates such as insects or spiders. In the wild the most commonly caught prey are termites.
It is a diurnal animal.
Features Lizard Armadillo
The color of the lizard can range from light brown to incihs brown, depending on the subspecies. The belly is yellow with black coloration.
The length varies between 16 and 21 cm. Adults have such force in their jaws that they can break their jaws. Weight ranges from 4 to 8 kg. The hind legs are somewhat shorter than the front ones.
The head, body and even the tail are quite flattened. The animal takes advantage of this advantage to hide when needed from predators between stones.
When it is scared or threatened it is made like a ball to scare away predators. He takes his tail in his mouth and rolls over. This way it is protected by hard scales and spines on the body and protects its most vulnerable part: the belly.
Although it is generally a slow-moving animal, when it feels threatened it runs as fast as it can to take cover.
It can be found and marketed in specialty stores and easily bred in captivity.
Breeding Lizard Armadillo
Armadillo gives birth in late summer. The female gives birth to 1-2 Cubs. Puppies are born alive. Armadillo lizards live in family groups, and most young will have their "home" in the same rock.
As the "armor" protects them against most birds, mammals and even other reptiles, man is the main threat of these wonderful reptiles.
Although she has to be careful because despite her small size she has plenty of enemies, she is still not an endangered species.
