The newborns averaged about 63.5 mm in body length. Females gave birth to a single large, live young sometime between the months of September and December. Males actively pursued females at this time. In a captive group of armadillo lizards in North America (with seasons reversed from South Africa), mating took place between the months of January and March. Smaller lizards may gain some protection by staying near older lizards, and adult armadillo lizards may even provide food to young armadillo lizards. These groups typically consist of an adult pair and subadult and small juvenile offspring, although it is suspected that not all lizards in a group are necessarily related. These lizards are unique in occurring in extended family groups that share a particular rock crevice. Females give birth to one, rarely two, young in late summer to early fall (March to April), which is the end of the dry season. Courtship and mating take place at this time. Sperm production in males peaks in spring (September to October), which coincides with ovulation in females. ( Els, 2008 Flemming and Mouton, 2002 Fogel, 2002)Īrmadillo lizards mature at a snout-vent (body) length of about 95mm. This species is unique in living in social groups with their young. Males do not seem to be defensive of their mates, but they were defensive of their territory. However, females cross territorial boundaries to mate with other males as well. ( Branch, 1998 Flemming and Mouton, 2002) ReproductionĪrmadillo lizards are territorial males defend an area and have multiple females in their territory with whom they mate. Young are basically miniature versions of adults. This species is ovoviviparous, producing one or two live young.
Range length 75 to 105 mm 2.95 to 4.13 inĪs with all squamates (lizards and snakes) fertilization is internal. They sometimes roll their bodies as they bite, inflicting severe damage. In a fight, they can sever digits or small limbs. The jaws of Cordylus cataphractus are extremely powerful. Because of this, the lizard will not part with the tail easily or quickly and tail autotomy is used only as a last resort. But, unlike many other lizards, in Cordylus cataphractus the tail is a necessary part of its unique defensive position. Armadillo lizards have the ability to drop their own tail (autotomy) when in danger, and can grow it back slowly. The head and tail are flattened, allowing it to squeeze into rock crevices. Dark brown infusions on the back are not uncommon. Dorsal color is usually consistent, sometimes having an orange to olive tint on the sides. The body color is a dirty yellowish brown to straw color. The tail is equal to or slightly shorter than the body length. The average snout-vent length is between 75 and 90 mm, with a maximum snout-vent length of 105 mm. Males grow to be larger than females and have more prominent femoral pores. This position protects the soft underside of the lizard, which is its most vulnerable area. Rows of spiny osteodermate scales covering the neck, body, tail, and limbs deter predators from seizing or swallowing these lizards. When threatened, they curl up, grip the tail in their jaws, and form a tight, armored ball, resembling an armadillo. ( Els, 2008 Patterson, 1987)Īrmadillo lizards are named for their appearance when in a defensive position. These lizards inhabit large cracks in rocky outcrops. This habitat is characterized by sparse vegetation dominated by dwarf, perennial shrubs. ( Branch, 1998 Els, 2008 Patterson, 1987 Shuttleworth, 2007)Īrmadillo lizards inhabit karroid veld, a vegetation type that is normally found in the semi-desert Karoo region of South Africa. 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.
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