The South African armadillo lizard is a rare lizard that bites its tail and curls into a ball when in danger

The South African armadillo lizard is a lizard species endemic to western South Africa, named for its hard, armor-like scales and its habit of curling into a ball like an armadillo when in danger. Taxonomically it belongs to the family Cordylidae, and it mainly inhabits arid and semi-arid rocky areas, often active during the day among rock crevices and sun-facing stone piles.

Adults measure roughly a dozen centimeters in body length, and their coloration is mostly brownish or earthy yellow, with the whole body covered in spiny bony scales that look like a suit of armor. Its most famous trait is its defensive posture: when disturbed, it bites its own tail, tucking its soft belly inside, and turns its entire body into a spiny ring that predators find hard to bite into. Unlike many lizards that prefer to live alone, the South African armadillo lizard is social, often gathering in groups on rocks to bask in the sun.

In terms of diet, they feed mainly on termites and other small insects, and will also eat other arthropods. They reproduce by ovoviviparity, with females usually giving birth to only one or two young at a time, so their reproductive rate is slow and their populations have limited capacity to recover.

Because of its unique appearance and limited numbers, the South African armadillo lizard has long drawn the attention of reptile keepers, and wild populations have consequently come under some pressure. It is currently protected under South African law and listed in a controlled appendix of the international convention on wildlife trade, with capture and sale strictly restricted. Captive keeping requires simulating its dry, warm native environment with plenty of rocks and crevices and providing insect food; before keeping one, be sure to understand local regulations and choose legally sourced individuals.