Armadillo Lizard Pet
Armadillo lizards are hardy animals that can live eight to ten years in captivity, and their gentle temperament makes them a good choice for beginners who want to tame and keep them. They have specific care requirements, but they are not as extensive as those of other reptiles, which are more suitable for advanced keepers. As long as you care for them and keep at least two together, a male and a female, they can make interesting and unique looking pet lizards.
This creature has several names, it is also called
- Armadillo lizard
- Golden armadillo lizard
- Dragon armadillo lizard
It is a South African reptile that has a spiny carapace that acts as a genius defense mechanism.
Although they are not related, armadillos and armadillo lizards share a common characteristic: an armored body that they use to defend themselves from predators.
Population of armadillo lizards
The armadillo lizard is a fascinating creature with unique abilities that help it survive in the wild. Unfortunately, the biggest threat to its population is humans. The armadillo lizard may look intimidating, but these creatures are docile and are not truly dangerous.
The armadillo lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus), also known as the armadillo girdled lizard, golden armadillo lizard or spiny-tailed armadillo lizard, is an armadillo lizard native to the desert areas of the west coast of South Africa. This heavily armored reptile was given the name armadillo because it can curl into an almost impregnable ball when threatened. The armadillo lizard is very rare and is almost impossible to obtain as a pet. Accurate estimates of the armadillo population do not currently exist.
Are armadillos good pets?
Yes, armadillos can make good pets. They are low maintenance, require simple reptile care and are not messy. They can live up to 25 years, making them excellent long-term companions. However, they are not the best reptiles for children, as they do not like to be handled and tend to bite.
These animals are usually found on the west coast of South Africa. The scientific name for these creatures is Cordylus cataphractus, but most owners do not call them by this name.
Armadillo lizards are diurnal and spend most of their time basking on rocks and living in groups of 2 to 60 lizards. Most species live near rock crevices, but the giant pickle lizard usually lives in subway burrows and the Limpopo's pickle lizard is arboreal and lives in the trees.
Armadillo girdled lizards make excellent pets for first-time owners, as they are easy to care for, interactive and have a long lifespan. For the first time, you can keep many armadillos in a single tank, which is not the case with other lizards. On the other hand, if you plan to handle them, they don't make the best pets.
Armadillo lizard the little dragon
With their spiny shells, they're as close to a dragon as you can get. These scaly, spiny reptiles are very social, hardy and easy to care for. This makes them an excellent companion lizard for beginners. They are also known as the little dragon
How do Armadillo Lizards live?
Armadillos are diurnal and seek shelter in rock crevices and crevices at night. They live in social groups of up to 30 to 60 individuals of all ages, but usually fewer. Males are territorial, protecting their territory and mating with females that live there. Armadillos have an unusual adaptation for scaring off predators, in which they stick their tails in their mouths and curl into a ball when frightened.
Cordylus Cataphractus aka Armadillo lizard.
Tropical armadillos are no less interesting in appearance and behavior than their expensive cousins. In fact, the “true” armadillo lizard, Cordylus Cataphractus, which is no longer exported from South Africa, is one of the shyest reptiles I have encountered. When properly maintained, these Southeast African natives can reward you with reproduction, which is always an exciting thing for responsible herp keepers.
These dragon-like creatures can grow up to four centimeters in both males and females, and live to just over ten years. They feed on small insects and invertebrates, but their main food source is termites — another similarity they share with armadillos — in particular Microhodotermes viator and Hodotermes mossambicus.
The armadillo lizard varies from light brown to dark brown with a yellow belly with a black pattern. It usually grows to three or four centimeters in length, but some can grow to eight centimeters.
The Ouroborus cataphractus is native to the South African deserts of the west coast. The lizard gets its name from its defensive posture. Like the mammalian armadillo, the lizard curls into a ball for protection. The dragon armadillo is a diurnal animal with rows of stout, spiny scales all over its body.
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