Armadillo Lizard

This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.

A spiny ring from the Karoo

Armadillo lizards are Ouroborus cataphractus, formerly Cordylus cataphractus. Adults are about 3 to 4 inches. They commonly reach 15 to 25 years, care is intermediate, and they are docile, slow, and social. The social part is real: they live in groups in rock crevices. The slow part ends when a predator, or a hand, arrives and the lizard seizes its own tail.

A 20 to 40 gallon tank with rock crevices, humidity of 30 to 50 percent, a basking spot near 100°F, and a cooler side in the 70s fits the species. UVB is part of the basking setup. They are insect eaters. Calcium and a varied bug list matter more than a fancy bowl. Water can be a dish plus an occasional light mist. A constantly wet tank is the wrong climate for a lizard from dry South African rock.

Captive-bred groups only

These lizards are protected and were hit hard by collection. Buy captive-bred, keep any paperwork, and do not add a wild animal to a group. Give the group space. One male with several females is the usual breeder pattern. Two pushy males in a small tank will fight even if the species is called social. Handling is optional. Many keepers never do it. The tail-bite display means stop.

A thin lizard that will not eat insects needs a check for bullying first, then a vet. ARAV lists clinics.

Armadillo lizard questions

Why does it bite its tail?

Defense. A threatened armadillo lizard grabs its tail and turns into a spiny ring. Let go of the idea of pulling the tail free. Give it cover and wait.

Can they live together?

Often yes, which is unusual. They are social. A group still needs more than one hide, more than one food spot, and no crowding.

What do they eat?

Mostly insects. In the wild they eat a lot of termites. Crickets and roaches, calcium-dusted, are the captive stand-in. Variety helps.