Golden Armadillo Lizard

Todd Sain Sr.

8 years ago

Golden Armadillo Lizard, Ouroborus cataphractus

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Photographer: Chuck Dowe
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Golden Armadillo Lizard Facts

As one can easily see, the remarkable Golden Armadillo Lizard represents an incredible species of reptile. Not at all surprisingly, this remarkable lizard evolved as endemic solely to certain desert regions in one specific portion of the globe.
The reptile also remains a unique species of animal. That holds true partly due to its rather fascinating defense mechanism. This approach to defense constitutes rolling into a tight ball, which makes it appear larger to would-be predators.
This surprising action, which some insects share, also presents would-be attackers with its thick, armored exterior. As a result of this remarkable defensive strategy, very few predators invest the time and effort necessary to penetrate this defense.
The IUCN previously listed the Golden Armadillo Lizard as Vulnerable, on its Red List. Thankfully, however, the organization recently downgraded that status to Least Concern. This action occurred due to a welcome virtual cessation in the pet trade.

Thorny Dragon Tuatara Texas Horned Lizard

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Golden Armadillo Lizard Physical Description

Perhaps most notably, the extremely fascinating Golden Armadillo Lizard remains a moderately sized reptile. Yet that fact does not diminish its truly fascinating nature. That’s because what the impressive creature lacks in size it more than makes up for in other ways.

In appearance, the marvel of Nature generally displays visually striking patterns. That’s because its typical colors range from a light brown to a dark brown on top. The underbelly of the Golden Armadillo Lizard, however, appears yellow, with a black pattern.

Individual specimens, meanwhile, range in size from 6.5-8.5 in (16-21 cm) in length. Unlike some relatives, it displays no discernible sexual dimorphism. Its bite further measures so powerful for a creature of its size that it can literally break its own jaws when it bites.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Cordlidae
Genus: Ouroboros
Species: O. cataphractus

Golden Armadillo Lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The amazing Golden Armadillo Lizard also evolved as endemic to a highly specific portion of southern Africa. Even more specifically, though, the magnificent animal only thrives in portions of the Northern and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa.

The fascinating reptile also apparently prefers scrub brush and rocky areas for its habitat, at least as a general principle. Despite the great heat of this habitat, it nonetheless remains a diurnal creature, being active during the day and sleeping at night.

Quite remarkably, unlike most lizards, the fascinating reptile also typically lives in social groups. Even more amazingly, these groupings sometimes number as many as 60 individuals. More commonly, though, these groups number around 30 individuals.

Although technically omnivorous, its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates such as insects and spiders. Yet termites appear to be its favorite prey. It nevertheless occasionally supplements this with various plant species sharing its range.

The Golden Armadillo Lizard animal also has an average lifespan measuring approximately 10 years. Individuals also typically make their home in cracks in boulders, or crevices. Finally, it represents one of the few lizards that gives birth to live young.