Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Armadillo Girdled Lizard

The armadillo girdled lizard, is a lizard endemic to desert areas of southern Africa.

It is also commonly known as typical girdled lizard, golden armadillo lizard, armadillo spiny-tailed lizard, and armadillo lizard.

armadillo girdled lizard is found along the western coast of the Republic of South Africa.

The armadillo girdled lizard can be a dark brown to light brown in coloration. The underbelly is yellow with a blackish pattern, especially under the chin. Its usual size ranges from 7.5 to 9 cm . It may grow to a maximum size of 10.5 cm. As adults, they have such a strong bite force, that they can break their jaws.

This lizard is relatively common in the pet trade. It can be found in pet stores and it is quite easy to breed in captivity. Wild populations are threatened by collecting for sale in the pet trade. It can live up to 10 years in captivity, or slightly longer in rarer cases.

The natural habitat of this lizard is scrub and rocky outcrops.

It is diurnal. It hides in rock cracks and crevices. It lives in social groups of up to 25 to 55. Males are territorial and protecting a territory.

The female gives birth to one or two live young. the species is one of the few lizards that does not lay eggs. The female may even feed her young, which is also unusual for a lizard.

The armadillo girdled lizard feeds mainly on small invertebrates, such as insects and spiders.

The armadillo girdled lizard possesses an uncommon anti predator adaptation, in which it takes its tail in its mouth and rolls into a ball when frightened. In this shape, it is protected from predators by the thick, squarish scales along its back and the spines on its tail.