Cordylus cataphractus

Cordylus cataphractus (armadillo lizard or armadillo girdled lizard) is found along the west coast of South Africa, from the Orange River in the north (Little Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province) to the Piketberg Mountains in the south, and as far inland as Matjiesfontein in the western Karoo Basin. (Branch, 1998; Els, 2008; Patterson, 1987; Shuttleworth, 2007)

Armadillo lizards inhabit karroid veld, a vegetation type that is normally found in the semi-desert Karoo region of South Africa. This habitat is characterized by sparse vegetation dominated by dwarf, perennial shrubs. These lizards inhabit large cracks in rocky outcrops. (Els, 2008; Patterson, 1987)

Armadillo lizards are named for their appearance when in a defensive position. When threatened, they curl up, grip the tail in their jaws, and form a tight, armored ball, resembling an armadillo. Rows of spiny osteodermate scales covering the neck, body, tail, and limbs deter predators from seizing or swallowing these lizards. This position protects the soft underside of the lizard, which is its most vulnerable area. Males grow to be larger than females and have more prominent femoral pores. The average snout-vent length is between 75 and 90 mm, with a maximum snout-vent length of 105 mm. The tail is equal to or slightly shorter than the body length. The body color is a dirty yellowish brown to straw color. Dorsal color is usually consistent, sometimes having an orange to olive tint on the sides. Dark brown infusions on the back are not uncommon. The upper lip is dark brown. The head and tail are flattened, allowing it to squeeze into rock crevices. Armadillo lizards have the ability to drop their own tail (autotomy) when in danger, and can grow it back slowly. But, unlike many other lizards, in Cordylus cataphractus the tail is a necessary part of its unique defensive position. Because of this, the lizard will not part with the tail easily or quickly and tail autotomy is used only as a last resort. The jaws of Cordylus cataphractus are extremely powerful. In a fight, they can sever digits or small limbs. They sometimes roll their bodies as they bite, inflicting severe damage. (Branch, 1998; Els, 2008; Patterson, 1987; S., 2001; Shuttleworth, 2007)

As with all squamates (lizards and snakes) fertilization is internal. This species is ovoviviparous, producing one or two live young. Young are basically miniature versions of adults. (Branch, 1998; Flemming and Mouton, 2002)

Cordylus cataphractus is a potentially long lived species, with life spans reaching 20 to 25 years in captivity. Average and maximum life span in the wild is apparently not known. (Fogel, 2002)

Armadillo lizards are social lizards that live in groups of 2 to 60 individuals, averaging 2 to 6. This is unique because permanent group living is not common among lizards. It has been shown that groups are not necessarily composed exclusively of family units and inter-group movement is high. Males, females, and juveniles all leave and join different groups. This movement occurs both during, and outside of, the mating season. Males are extremely territorial. In groups with multiple males, space is partitioned among them. Although there is some aggression between males in a group, it is much lower than the aggression shown to an outside male. Females and juveniles do not have established territories. Males defend territories that include more than one female. Females move between different territories, mating with multiple males. (Effenberger and Mouton, 2007; Els, 2008; Fogel, 2002; Shuttleworth, 2007; Viasgie, Mouton, and Flemming, 2002)

Home Range

Home ranges typically consists of a rock crevice and closely adjacent veld habitat. Foraging lizards that are approached usually move to a crevice for shelter. (Effenberger and Mouton, 2007; Els, 2008)

Armadillo lizards perform several actions that help them communicate with one another, including head bobbing, tail wagging, or tongue flicking. These signals can aid in reproduction, or, in the case of tongue flicking, can warn unfamiliar lizards to leave. (Effenberger and Mouton, 2007; Els, 2008; Fogel, 2002)

The diet of Cordylus cataphractus consists mainly of insects. After spring rains armadillo lizards feed extensively on their most important pry, southern harvester termites (Hodotermes mossambicus), which are very plentiful at that time of the year. They are very active when termites are abundant, but remain rather inactive when food is scarce during the dry summer months. Armadillo lizards also feed on beetles, millipedes, scorpions, and plant material. They can regain lost weight quickly after fasting during the dry season. (Els, 2008; Flemming and Mouton, 2002; S., 2001; Shuttleworth, 2007)

Armadillo lizards are undoubtedly preyed on by a number of vertebrate predators, though their spiny defenses may discourage many potential enemies. As with many social animals, the large number of alert associates watching for danger can decrease the chance that a predator will approach unseen. When an armadillo lizard sees a predator, its behavior soon alerts all of them to the threat. This lizard species is comparatively sluggish and slow-moving, so living in a cooperative group gives them more time to escape and most of their time is spent close to crevices in which they can hide. They may be most vulnerable to birds of prey. Humans may be the biggest threat, as these lizards are often collected illegally for the pet trade. Armadillo lizards move relatively slowly, and are easily caught by hand if they are out in the open. Living in groups makes them unusually vulnerable to mass-collection. (Effenberger and Mouton, 2007; Els, 2008; Shuttleworth, 2007; Viasgie, Mouton, and Flemming, 2002)

Armadillo lizards eat termites and other insects and may play a modest role in controlling insect populations. They are probably not eaten in sufficient numbers by other animals to make a significant impact as a source of food. (Els, 2008; Flemming and Mouton, 2002; S., 2001; Shuttleworth, 2007)

This species has no negative effects on human interests.

Armadillo lizards have an unusual appearance and are rather easy to catch. They are captured and sold in the commercial pet trade to other countries. Although collecting this species is illegal, enforcement is difficult and poachers usually smuggle them out of South Africa. While illegal and locally damaging to lizard populations, this collecting is a source of income for some people and a source of interest and amusement for people buying the lizards as pets, perhaps ignorant of the illegal nature of their purchase. (Els, 2008; Fogel, 2002; Shuttleworth, 2007)

Cordylus cataphractus is listed as "vulnerable" in the Red Data Book of South Africa and is protected by law. This species is threatened by illegal collection for pet trade as well as habitat degradation, and has locally declined in numbers. Although armadillo lizards are still common in parts of their range, populations will not remain stable if current trends persist. Local community involvement will be needed to conserve this species. ("Rare Conservation", 2006)

In rural Namaqualand (a biodiversity hotspot located along the Atlantic coast of South Africa and Namibia), Rare Pride Campaign Manager Morne Farmer tries to spread awareness of the illegal pet trade affecting armadillo lizards. Targeting 24,000 community members, posters and fact sheets were distributed that highlighted threats to the animals that are affected by this illegal trade. Presentations about conservation were given, and a giant mascot of Cordylus cataphractus was placed in its natural habitat. The result of this awareness campaign was a 45% increase in local residents knowledge and identification of Cordylus cataphractus and 85% of farmers could identify 3 effects of overgrazing as opposed to 48% before the campaign. The results of this one campaign will have lasting impacts on the wild population of armadillo lizards. More of these conservation attempts will ensure the continued survival of this unique species. ("Rare Conservation", 2006)