Wildlife conservancy groups, like IUCN, that have been monitoring changes in the armadillo lizard population have seen some level of reduction in their collection for the pet trade, which had a huge impact on the overall population in previous years. The males are naturally territorial with each other.

But Ouroborus cataphractus is still under threat, even though the trade of the species has been made illegal. In the wild, its most common prey items are termites, especially Microhodotermes viator[3] and Hodotermes mossambicus. ... Penn Plax Reptology Lizard Lounger (31) $11.99 was $18.99.

Sometimes Ouroborus cataphractus mothers can take a year in between giving birth and will feed their offspring, which is an uncommon trait among most reptiles. Wikimedia CommonsThough they are slow-moving, these lizards compensate with a body of armor-like spikes. Petco offers a wide array of reptile terrariums, cages, tanks & enclosures.

The underbelly is yellow with a blackish pattern, especially under the chin.

This is precisely what must be stopped if this unique creature is to have a healthy future on planet Earth.

That is why these lizards curl up when they go into defense mode.

The criminals were sentenced to 1 million South African Rand (the equivalent of $70,000) or 13 years of jail time. This makes the armadillo lizard vulnerable to environmental changes that impact the termites, such as changing rain patterns or invasive plants harmful to the environment. Researchers have found that individuals do not necessarily stick to one group.

The armadillo girdled lizard, or Ouroborus cataphractus, can be found in between the rocky mounts of the Succulent Karoo region of South Africa.Also called the golden armadillo lizard, these pointy-looking reptiles may appear dangerous, but they are slow-moving and will try to scurry away when approached by other creatures. Armadillo lizards have a variety of coloring, which ranges between brown to light yellowish brown. It hides in rock cracks and crevices.

(they "look" healthy right now, I was intrigued by them) These aren't the skink type, so I'm not exactly sure what family they are from. Reptile & Amphibian - General Discussion Forums. [1][3][5] The armadillo girdled lizard is thought to be somewhat susceptible to fluctuations in its primary foodsource (termites), which in turn can be impacted by climatic events such as changes in rainfall patterns, as well as to habitat changes through invasive alien plant species and poor fire management. They are around 6" long, reddish brown color, and spiny. The species is endemic to desert areas along the western coast of South Africa. [3], O. cataphractus is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biome in the Northern and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa, where it occurs from the southern Richtersveld to the Piketberg Mountains and the southern Tankwa Karoo. Wikimedia CommonsOuroborus cataphractus can stay in a curled position for up to an hour. Find the perfect habitat for your bearded dragon, boa, turtle, or other pet.

Meet The Chinese Water Deer: The "Vampire Deer" That Grows Fang-Like Tusks Instead Of Antlers, Construction Worker Miraculously Survives Getting An Iron Rod Through His Skull, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Their penchant for eating termites makes these lizards dependent on the wellbeing of the termite population on which it feeds. The female may even feed her young, which is also unusual for a lizard. Living in large groups as they do provides an extra layer of protection because predators tend to steer away from hunting prey in large groups. Zilla Brown Reptile Terrarium Liner (85) $7.49 - … Just as its animal namesake implies, these lizards have sharp armor-like features along their bodies and are known to curl up when they feel threatened just like armadillos. They are around 6" long, reddish brown color, and spiny. Furthermore, these insect-eaters require little to survive, are relatively easy to catch, and look like little dragons, which is likely why many of them are even kept as pets — and consequently in danger of illegal trafficking that now has this one-of-a-kind creature facing a major threat. An armadillo lizard’s backside is completely covered in spikey armor. Their diet consists of small insects and invertebrates but their primary food source is termites — another similarity that the armadillo lizard shares with armadillos — particularly Microhodotermes viator and Hodotermes mossambicus. They love to sunbathe under the warmth of the sun and are one of the few reptile species that do not reproduce by laying eggs.

It may grow to a maximum size of 10.5 cm (4.1 in) SVL. The armadillo girdled lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus), also commonly known as the armadillo lizard, the Golden-armadillo lizard, or the armadillo spiny-tailed lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae.The species is endemic to desert areas along the western coast of South Africa.