The Armadillo Lizard, also known as the Armadillo Girdled Lizard or the Armadillo Spiny-Tailed Lizard, is a unique reptile found in desert regions of Southern Africa.
It gets its name from its defensive behaviour of rolling into a ball when threatened, resembling an armadillo.
This lizard has bony plates covering its body for protection and typically feeds on insects, small vertebrates, and plant material.
Armadillo Lizard Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family that the Armadillo Lizard belongs to is called Cordylidae. This is a family of lizard’s native to Southern and Eastern Africa.
The lizards in this family are typically small to medium in size and are commonly known as girdled lizards or spiny tail lizards.
There are currently 10 recognised genera in this family and 68 recognised species at the time of writing.
Some of the other lizards in this family include the Regal Girdled Lizard, the Common Flat Lizard and the Namibian Girdled Lizard.
Genus
The genus that the Armadillo Lizard belongs to is called Ouroborus. This genus was only introduced in 2011.
It was created to house the Armadillo Lizard and this is the only species in the genus.
For a long time, this species was considered part of the Cordylus genus until it was reclassified in 2011.
Some of the other species in this genus, which are still a close relative, include the Cape Girdled Lizard, the Ethiopian Girdled Lizard and the Large-Scaled Girdled Lizard.
Species
The scientific name for the Armadillo Lizard is Ouroborus cataphractus and there are currently no recognised sub-species.
This species was first described in 1828 by a German herpetologist named Friedrich Boie.
Armadillo Lizard Description
The Armadillo Lizard has a distinct appearance that sets it apart from other lizards.
Its body is covered in small, bony, overlapping scales that form a protective armour.
The scales are usually dark brown or grey, with lighter bands or patterns. These scales give the lizard a rough and textured look.
What’s particularly interesting is the bony ring of scales around its body, which gives the lizard its name.
This ring of scales allows the lizard to curl up tightly into a ball when threatened, protecting its vulnerable underbelly.
When in this defensive posture, it becomes difficult for predators to access any soft parts of the lizard’s body.
The lizard’s tail is also covered in spiky scales and can be used as a defence mechanism.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Armadillo Lizard is native to the arid regions of Western South Africa.
Its range includes parts of the Northern Cape province, particularly the Richtersveld region, as well as portions of Southern Namibia.
They share parts of their geographical range with species such as the Leopard Tortoise, the Egg Eater Snake, the White Throat Monitor, the Berg Adder and the Horned Adder.
These areas are characterized by arid desert landscapes with rocky terrain, which provide the lizard with the kind of environment it prefers.
Their habitat consists of rocky outcrops, crevices and boulders where they can hide, seek shelter and regulate their body temperature.
The lizard’s specific habitat requirements limit its distribution to these arid and rocky areas.
Armadillo Lizard Behaviour
One of the most distinctive behaviours of this lizard is its defensive strategy.
When threatened, the Armadillo Lizard will curl itself into a tight ball by folding its body in half, protecting its soft underbelly with the ring of bony scales around its body.
This behaviour makes it difficult for predators to access vulnerable parts of its body.
These lizards are not particularly fast movers. They have a relatively slow and deliberate manner to moving.
This might be due to their adaptation to the rocky and crevice-filled habitats they inhabit, where agility might be less of an advantage.
They tend to be solitary creatures and are known to be territorial.
They establish and defend their territories, which provide them with access to resources such as food and shelter.
Their diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. They are known to feed on ants, beetles and spiders, which they can locate and capture among the rocks.