Armadillo Lizard Looks Like Real Baby Dragon In South African Desert

It looks like a baby dragon Game of Thrones or perhaps a desert dwelling Pokemonbut the armadillo belted lizard is indeed a real animal.

They are known by several different names – including the armadillo lizard, the spiny-tailed lizard and the golden armadillo lizard – although they are scientifically known as Ouroborus cataphractus.

The name of the genus Ouroboros The species name “cataphractus” comes from the ancient symbol “ouroboros”, which depicts a serpent or dragon biting its own tail, often used to represent concepts of eternity, the cyclical nature of life, and the endless cycle of renewal. The species name “cataphractus” comes from the Greek word “κατάφρακτος” (kataphraktos), meaning “armored” or “covered”.

It’s the perfect name for these charismatic little creatures. The lizard’s armor-like scales are the species’ most distinctive feature and help protect the animal from predators in the arid, dusty desert of South Africa’s west coast.

They usually hide in the cracks of rock walls where they live in large groups of 30 to 60 individuals, only coming out to hunt insects and enjoy the sun. At the first sign of danger, they quickly rush into the crevice. If they are unfortunate enough to be caught by a predator, the armadillo lizard will bite its tail, just like the symbol of the ouroboros, to protect its vulnerable belly.

The armadillo lizard is a member of the family Cordylidaewhich includes a group of small and medium-sized lizards that live in southern and eastern Africa.

Its unique appearance isn’t the only unusual feature of the species. Armadillo lizards are one of the few lizard species that don’t lay eggs or give birth to live young, a form of reproduction called viviparity. This process is taxing on mothers, but it can be advantageous in harsh environments, helping protect them from environmental hazards like extreme heat and predators.

The female may even nurse her young after birth, which is almost unheard of in reptiles and is usually a trait associated with mammals and birds.

In addition to natural threats such as predation, the lizard faces several unnatural challenges in its habitat, including overexploitation and poaching for the pet trade. As such, it is classified as “near threatened” on the IUCN Red List.

Armadillo girdled lizards are not allowed to be exported from South Africa without proper documentation, but they are known to be illegally trafficked outside the continent, including to the United States, where they are sold as pets.