Armadillo Girdled Lizard For Sale

Description

The armadillo girdled lizard for sale (Ouroborus cataphractus), also commonly known as the armadillo lizard, the armadillo spiny-tailed lizard, and the golden-armadillo lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae.

The species is endemic to desert areas along the western coast of South Africa. In 2011, it was moved to its own genus based on molecular phylogeny, but formerly it was included in the genus Cordylus. It has the largest known genome of all squamates.

Welcome a truly extraordinary and prehistoric-looking creature into your life. We are thrilled to offer healthy, ethically sourced, Captive-Bred Armadillo Girdled Lizards (Ouroborus cataphractus) for the serious reptile enthusiast.

A Unique and Captivating Pet

Often described as a miniature dragon, the Armadillo Girdled Lizard is renowned for its incredible and unique defense mechanism. When startled, it will curl into a perfect circle, gripping its own tail firmly in its mouth to form a near-impenetrable armored ball—much like its mammalian namesake. Their beautiful, keeled scales provide a stunning array of earthy tones, from light yellow and brown to rich, dark coffee, offering a natural camouflage that is simply mesmerizing to observe.

What Makes Our Lizards Special?

• Ethically Sourced & Captive-Bred: Our lizards are born and raised in controlled environments, ensuring they are well-adapted to captivity, free from parasites, and are not impacting wild populations.
• Healthy & Vigorous: Each lizard is carefully quarantined and health-screened by our experienced team. They are feeding reliably on a diet of appropriately sized gut-loaded insects.
• Stunning Specimens: We select for individuals with bright coloration and alert, curious personalities.

Ideal For The Intermediate Keeper

This is not a beginner species. The Armadillo Girdled Lizard thrives under specific care conditions that mimic its native South African rocky outcrops.

Key Care Requirements:

• Enclosure: A spacious, well-ventilated terrarium with a secure lid is required. A bioactive setup with plenty of flat rocks for basking and crevices for hiding is ideal.
• Temperature & Lighting: A precise thermal gradient with a hot basking spot and a cool zone is crucial. They require high-output UVB lighting for proper calcium metabolism.
• Diet: An insectivorous diet consisting of gut-loaded crickets, dubia roaches, and occasional mealworms. Supplementation with calcium and vitamins is essential.
• Temperament: While generally docile, they are best as a “look-but-don’t-touch” pet. They can become stressed with excessive handling.

What You Will Receive:

• One (1) Healthy Juvenile or Adult Armadillo Girdled Lizard (sex specified upon request, subject to availability)
• Detailed Care Sheet & Feeding Guide
• Lifetime Support from our reptile experts

Due to the specialized nature of this species, we require a brief consultation to ensure you have the proper setup. Your satisfaction and the welfare of the animal are our top priorities.

Bring home a living fossil and a true conversation piece. This is a rare opportunity to care for one of nature’s most fascinating reptiles.

Live Arrival Guaranteed!

Disclaimer (to be included on the website): Please check your local and state laws regarding the ownership of exotic pets. It is the buyer’s responsibility to ensure compliance with all regulations. All animals are sold for educational, exhibition, or propagation purposes only.

The armadillo girdled lizard possesses an uncommon antipredator adaptation, in which it rolls into a ball and takes its tail in its mouth when frightened. In this shape, it is protected from predators by the thick, squarish scales along its back and the spines on its tail. This behaviour, which resembles that of the mythical ouroboros and of the mammalian armadillo, gives it its taxonomic and English common names.

east african armadillo lizard for sale Males follow either a prenuptial or postnuptial reproductive cycle. The more common cycle is prenuptial with high sperm count being in the fall and winter seasons. In the postnuptial cycle, males produce the most sperm in the late summer season.