Armadillo Lizards are tiny one-of-a-kind reptiles.
Their spry armors give their armor the closest to a dragon that you could own.
The lizard’s name is derived from its ancestor, Armadillo because they curled into a ball and bite off their tails in order to defend themselves against predators. This protection mechanism lets them enjoy the majority of their time in the South African sun.
Wild Armadillos are lizards that have no activity.
These reptiles have scaly spikes and are social, durable and simple to take care of. That makes them the perfect pets lizard for novices. Anyone who owns one is fortunate to own one since they are illegal in exports out of South Africa.
Continue reading to learn the reasons these creatures are special…
Is An Armadillo Lizard A Good Pet?
Armadillo Lizards are popular pets because of their slender armor that makes them appear like dragons.
This reptile is part of the Cordylidae family. A family of lizards with girdles (i.e. spiny-tailed) from South Africa.
Armadillos are located in the western regions within South Africa.
Their range extends for around 400 miles from the Orange River to the Piketberg Mountains and then inland to Matjiesfontein , the semi-desert region in South Africa.
They have spines with prominent features that aid in protecting them from predators in the wild.
Their distinctive appearance creates them to appear like a tiny dragon.
If they are confronted by an animal predator, and consider they must defend themselves, they will curl up into a ball, and then bit their tails. Researchers found that this behaviour bears an uncanny resemblance scared mammalian armadillo. This lizard was named in honor of the Armadillo.
They also have distinct social behavior.
In contrast to other individual lizards, Armadillos are more comfortable living together. It is even more common in the event that there is enough shelter to accommodate each lizard in its own.
This behavior of social interaction has fascinated the attention of researchers and herpetologists.
What We Love about The Armadillo Lizard
They are great pets because of many reasons:
Pros
- Extremely durable and easy to take care of.
- Unique dragon-like appearance.
- Armadillos like to be in groups, so they can be owned by multiple.
Cons
- They may become stressed by handling.
- Breeding in captivity is challenging.
- It is difficult to purchase since they are not legal for exporting out of South Africa.
Species Appearance
Sometimes the Armadillo Girdled Lizard’s mouth and eyes are black.
Armadillos can be easily identifiable through their skin-like armor.
The lizard with the girdle has an armor-like skin that is spiny all across their body, head as well as their tail and legs. They are known as osteoderms and are also seen on reptiles that are not listed, such as Sulcata tortoises and alligators, as well as crocodiles.
Their heads and bodies are flat and give their bodies the capacity to grip rocks.
In contrast to other reptiles that are popular as pets like that of the Bearded Dragon, the Armadillo Lizard is not very vibrant. They tend to be light in color, ranging from dark to light brown.
Their underbellies are typically black with a yellow pattern.
Armadillo Lizard Size
Adult Armadillos are small and reach just the size of four inches length..
Many websites claim that this species was actually 15 to 17 inches in length – this is not true.
Neonatal Armadillos were born at around two inches long. They are considered juveniles if they reach to between 2.3 to 3.7 inches.
Males typically have a slight longer than females, yet they’re generally close in terms of size. This means that length isn’t always a reliable indication of their sex. Instead, take advantage of to make use of the fact Males possess hemipenal bulges as well as larger heads to identify.
Common Behaviour
The Armadillo Lizard is named for its appearance when it is defensive.
They grab their tails and then roll into an elongated balls ( pictured above).
Armadillo Girdled Lizards tend to spend their time relaxing in sunlight or lodged among rocks. They do this because they’re massively built and slow to move.
Due to their armored skin, they can’t escape predators.
In the wild, they are typically found in groups of 4 to 6 lizards. Some researchers have suggested that gathering in groups could provide protection against predators.
Males are territorial, especially during mating season.
Mating season for South Africa begins in September and is over two whole months. They have powerful jaws as well as been reported to chew off the toes of their mates and draw blood.
If males want to marry, they will pursue females until they are courtship ready. In contrast to reptiles which lay eggs females are able to give birth to a single live offspring. Rarely do they have two offspring living.
They are known to bruize during winter months. In captivity, many owners try to keep the temperature of the tank consistently high to stop the occurrence of brumation.
Armadillo Lizard Care Sheet
They spend the majority of their time sunbathing or lying in the sand.
They’re not particularly active.
Despite their powerful bite, they do not bite when in captivity.
They are considered as very gentle however they can be stressed by handling.
Instead of running beneath rocks when they’re terrified, they bite their tails, and form an elongated ball (like an Ball Python). If this happens, the best thing to do is give your lizard time and space to unwind.
They can be able to handle a short amount of handling, but it’s better to avoid handling them as much as you can.
What are the Foods Armadillo Lizards Eat?
Armadillos are predators that sit and wait. They generally consume termites. Termites are a crucial component of their diet and they frequently hunt for mounds of termites.
Carnivores that are slow to move prefer to wait for prey larger than an insect.
They also consume millipedes, crickets, and spiders in the wild.
In captivity, you must feed an armadillo crickets. Crickets must be gut-loaded and then dusted with a calcium supplement. They can be caught wild or purchased from a commercial pet shop.
Feed a few crickets to ensure your lizard consumes the majority, or all. Young and neonates need to eat a meal every day. adults should eat three times per week.
The armadillos consume plant matter, but it is best not to feed them leafy greens since it will not offer the proper nutrition balance.
They also can take in:
- Superworms.
- Butterworms.
- Pinky mice.
Additionally, they must have access to clean water.
A dish that is low and flat with water is ideal. Avoid using a high-rimmed dish since if they fall in the dish, they may drown.
Armadillo Lizard Lifespan & Health
One of the reasons this species makes a wonderful pet is due to their longer and recover quickly from illnesses.
These small dragons can be kept for up to 25 years in the wild.
They are not plagued by health problems, however there are some ailments that people should know about.
Girdled Lizards may be susceptible to mouth infections.
A indication of a mouth infection the lizard’s behavior when it is chased by its food, but isn’t chewing on it. It is possible that they have pus around the mouth infection. The best option is to take your lizard in to the veterinarian for antibiotics. Armadillo Lizards are very hardy and generally recover from infections swiftly.
They can also be susceptible to Femoral pore infections. The most obvious indication of inflammation is swelling of the back legs.
The best method to avoid this type of infection is to place rough rocks inside the enclosure so that your lizard has the chance to rub them against to cleanse their pores.
The most frequent health issue associated caused by wild-caught armadillos ( despite them being prohibited from exporting to South Africa) is parasites. An absence of desire to eat is a typical symptom of parasites.
Health Signs
- Basking often.
- Sometimes, they are hidden in the rocks.
- Food intake is high.
Sickness symptoms
- The mouth is a source of pus. region.
- Swelling in the legs of the back.
- Not interested in food or not eat food.
Armadillo Lizard Enclosure
This species is native to the arid environments of South Africa.
Armadillo Lizards live in rocky outcrops. They can wedge their bodies between crevices, and then soak.
Reptiles are most effective when their habitat is like their natural environment.
The habitat they live in should be characterized by high temperatures as well as low humidity and plenty of rock.
There ought to there be plenty of flat rocks that your lizard can sit on top of or under. You can prop rocks about an inch or so off on the floor of the enclosure by using the shale.
Cage and Set-Up
- Tank type glass or plexiglass.
- Tank Size 30 gal.
- Lighting: fluorescent.
- Substrate Reptile Carpet.
A number of Armadillos could be kept in a group. They tend to be social and do not argue. A couple of them can be content in a 30 gallon tank.
The tank can be constructed out of glass or the plexiglass.
Armadillo Lizards love climbing up rocks but do not have the best skills in climbing glass walls! If the walls of your tank are sufficiently high, you’ll not require a top or lid.
The use of fluorescent lighting is an excellent method to make sure that your pet gets sufficient vitamin D.
The lighting should be in place for 12 hours every day to help your lizard maintain its regular circadian cycle.
The tank’s temperature should be between 80 and 85 in the day, and 60-70 in the evening. The most efficient method to do this is to use the use of a heating pad under the tank.
They ought to have a sun-bathing area between 115 and 130 since they spend a lot of time sitting on rocks within the wilderness.
The tank’s humidity should be maintained between 45 and 55 percent.
in the wild Armadillo Girdled Lizards are used to live in sandy environments. However, when in captivity, your lizard may accidentally swallow an untreated dirt-covered substrate. A carpet for reptiles or newspaper is more suitable.
It is recommended to spot clean and wash the water bowl every day. Make sure to thoroughly clean the tank every month.
Buyer’s Guide: Are Armadillo Girdled Lizards Illegal?
It is not legal to export catch of wild Armadillo Lizard from South Africa.
They are easy to capture from the wild as they are gentle and slow-moving. Continuous capture of these creatures has resulted in them becoming an endangered species. It is currently illegal to export and capture these creatures..
If you’re serious about it, buy a captive-bred breed by an individual breeder.
How Much Does An Armadillo Lizard Cost?
The cost for one Armadillo Lizard is between $1,000 and $2,000. This is due to the fact that they are extremely scarce and don’t reproduce in large numbers as do most other lizards.
Many reptile species produce at minimum one clutch of eggs each year. The species can only give birth to one baby every year.
Tank maintenance and setup is not more costly than the installation cost for the majority of Lizards. Thirty-gallon tanks typically cost $200 . Under-the-tank heaters are around $20.
They also have a cheap diet since crickets typically cost $2 for 50 packs.
What’s It Like To Have Your Own Armadillo Lizard
They are docile and hardy pets. They are docile and hardy.
Before you take your lizard(s) home , you must already have their enclosure set up.
After you’ve moved your Armadillo to the new location, allow it at least a day to adjust before you disturb. If your lizard begins to show normal behavior like swimming or hiding behind rocks, introduce a routine food schedule.
Potential owners should anticipate to see a lizard inactive that will spend the majority of the time in the shade of the lamp or in the rocks.
If they think they have to shield themselves from your presence, then they’ll curl up into the shape of a ball and then bit their nails.
Armadillo Lizards can become extremely overextended when handling.
Don’t hold them in a threatening manner because that is the way birds of prey could be able to grab them.
This adjustment phase can last up to a few weeks. If you do it correctly, your Armadillo will begin to get more comfortable within your home and show their individuality.
Armadillo Lizard Facts
| Common Name | Armadillo Girdled Lizard |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ouroborus cataphractus, Cordylus cataphractus |
| Price | ~$1,000 |
| Size | 3.7 3.0 4.1 inches |
| Lifespan | >25 years |
| Diet | Crickets |
| Tank Size | 30-gallon |
| Humidity and Temperature | The daytime temperature ranges from 80 to 85 Basking Spot: 115- 130 Humidity: 45% – 55% |
| Popular Alternatives | Bearded Dragons, Crested Geckos, Leopard Geckos |
Summary
It is believed that the Armadillo Lizard is named after the manner in which it bites its tail to shield it from predators. This is an unusual behavior found in any other reptile species.
They are extremely well-known due to the spiny skin, which gives them the appearance of the dragon.
They’re great pets for children because they are durable and easy to take care of. But, they are typically seen in the homes of experienced keepers because it’s rare and costly.
The small pet dragons make an excellent choice when you locate one. If you’re struggling to find an animal, you can choose from alternatives like Bearded dragons as well as Leopard Geckos.
Tell us in the comments section if you have seen any of these beautiful lizards that are armoured.
