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Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
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We weren’t kidding when we used words like “precious” and “petite”! These lizards rarely grow over four inches long, with three to three and a half inches being more common. However, they aren’t the same species as the East African spiny-tailed lizard ( Cordylus tropidosternum), commonly referred to as an armadillo lizard in the pet trade. ⭐️ Fun Fact: Did you know? The Armadillo Girdled Lizard is also known as armadillo lizards, golden-armadillo lizards, and armadillo spiny-tailed lizards. Instead, they simply find safety in large numbers. They aren’t necessarily bonded to specific individuals in the group, like wolves or dolphins. There is A LOT of movement between the large social groups for males, females, and even juveniles. They will mate with the females that are in their territory. Males are territorial, and they will carve out a specific plot of land to protect from other males in the group. At least up to sixty feet away, anyways… so not terribly far!Īrmadillo girdled lizards communicate with other members of their group using tail wagging, head bobbing, and tongue-flicking. However, they will travel away from their sandy, rocky outcrops to find food in nearby grasslands.
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In fact, their absolute favorite habitats are full of rocks, hills, mountains, and sandstone. These lizards live in social groups of up to sixty individuals! They can typically be found sunning on rocks near cracks and crevices, which they will attempt to escape to if they sense a threat. Their favorite habitats are full of rocks, hills, mountains, and sandstone. More specifically, they live in the Succulent Karoo desert ecoregion. Where Do They Come From? Did you know? There are more than 80 different species of Armadillo lizards! That’s why you may notice slight differences color, facial structure, and size amongst them.Īrmadillo girdled lizards are endemic to the desert areas along the West coast of South Africa.
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Unlike other reptiles, females take care of their babies. Males are territorial and mate with females that live on their territories.įemale gives birth to one or two babies at the end of April (at the beginning of rainy season). Mating season takes place during the spring. In the case of danger, armadillo lizards curl into the ball that is unpalatable for most animals because of the spines on the neck and tail.Īrmadillo lizards are able to shed their tail in the case of danger.Īrmadillo lizards live in large groups that usually consist of up to 30 members (sometimes up to 60). However, armadillo lizards move slowly and predators can catch them easily.Īrmadillo lizards are named that way because of the armadillo-like tactic which they use to avoid predators. Because of their flattened bodies, they can hide in tight rock crevices. Whenever possible, armadillo lizards will try to escape from predators. Besides them, they are often targeted by birds of prey. Humans are the biggest enemies of armadillo lizards. Its diet mainly consists of termites, but it also consumes scorpions, millipedes, spiders and certain types of plants. They are even able to break their own jaws during the feeding.Īrmadillo lizards are diurnal animals (active during the day).Īrmadillo lizard is an omnivore (it eats plants and other animals). They use sense of smell for detection of food and predators.Īrmadillo lizards have extremely strong bite. Front legs are longer than hind legs.Īrmadillo lizards have long, tube-like nostrils and excellent sense of smell. Unique coloration of the body provides camouflage.Īrmadillo lizards have triangular head and flattened body and tail. Chin is covered with black marks and throat with dark blotches. They are light to dark brown on a dorsal side of the body and yellow on the bottom side. It has 14 to 16 inches long tail.īody of armadillo lizards is covered with square-shaped scales. Armadillo lizards are listed as vulnerable (they may become endangered in the near future).Īrmadillo lizard can reach 15 to 17 inches in length and 8 to 17 pounds of weight. High demand for armadillo lizards and well developed pet trade negatively affects their number in the wild. Because of their unusual look, armadillo lizards are collected from the wild and sold in the pet shops around Europe and North America. Armadillo lizard inhabits deserts, scrublands and dry, rocky areas. Armadillo lizard, also known as armadillo spiny-tailed lizard or armadillo girdled lizard is a reptile that can be found only on the western coast of South Africa.