The armadillo lounge lizard is a unequalled - looking creature that is sure to enamor favourite reptile lovers . They are outstandingly societal lizards compare to most reptiles , and founder may determine them easy to care for though sometimes concentrated to obtain . Despite their conservation status being of " least concern , " it ’s important to determine where your reptilian comes from for moral , ethical , and safety reasons prior to land them home . You do n’t want to expend a lot of money on an illegally captured lizard with health issues .
All About the Armadillo Lizard
The armadillo lizard , orOuroborus cataphractus , is native to South Africa . It ’s also called the golden armadillo , armadillo Jones , armadillo girdled , or armadillo spiny - tailed lizard , and you ’ll likely fare up with someinteresting namesfor your pet reptile .
Physical Characteristics of the Armadillo Lizard
The armadillo lounge lizard can reach distance of between 4 and 6½ inches long as adult . Their most distinguishing characteristic is their " armour " along their book binding , seat , head , stage , and sides , which gives them the appearing of a lizard cut across with an armadillo . These scales are buddy-buddy and bristled and are usually vary shade of brown , with a brownish - chicken belly .
Armadillo Lizard Defensive Behavior
The armadillo lizard ’s graduated table are not the only reason for their name . When frightened , the lounge lizard draw themselves into a circle by grabbing onto their tails with their mouths , forming a ring . This keeps their eubstance protect by their scales , which maneuver out and stretch out in this posture . The lizards use this behavior when they are in danger of being attack by large animals or if they ’re stressed . Like many other lizards , they can deteriorate their stern if they must , but armadillo lizard are less probable to do so in stressful situations because their bottom is necessary to create their"Ouroboros - like"posture .
Sociability of the Armadillo Lizard
Another unique characteristic of the armadillo lounge lizard is that they are very social with other lizards of their form . In the wild , armadillo lizards endure in mathematical group . In fact , up to 60 lizards have been find living together in the wild . This desire for reptile companionship means this is a lounge lizard you could , and should , own more than one of provided you have an decent tank size . You should only keep one male person per tank , however , as they can be aggressive toward each other .
Handling Armadillo Lizards
These lizards are usually describedas docileand they can beamenable to handlingif they are acclimated to it at a young historic period . They can quick revert to their reflex reaction of wave into a lump if they are stress , so getting them used to you should be done tardily and at the lounge lizard ’s gait of puff . They do have sharp teeth and can bite if stressed .
Caring for an Armadillo Lizard
Armadillo lounge lizard have fairly easy tutelage requirements compared to other favored lizard , which makes them a expert selection for initiate reptilian proprietor .
Armadillo Lizard Diet
Armadillo lizards are insectivores and should be feed a dieting write insect that are properly scatter every other daylight with a calcium powder and vitamin D3 supplement . full-grown lizards can also consume pinky tributary mice . adult should be feed rough three time per week , and immature lizard should be feed daily until they reach grownup sizing .
Acceptable insects are small crickets dusted with calcium pulverisation , dubia rophy , first-rate worms , wax worms , silkworms , and bee moth larvae . Although armadillo lizardssometimes consume plant life matterin the wild , this does not make a substantial dowry of their dieting . Stick with resilient insects for this coinage . Also , remark that , though they are popular with other lizard , you should not run mealworm to an armadillo lizard .
These lizard need access to fresh water . let in a very shallow bowl with low sides in their enclosing . The saucer must be shallow because these lizard run to get into their water bowls , and if the water is too deep or it is too difficult to perish , the lizards may swim . Always provide sweet , purified urine that has been treated to remove chlorination .
Proper Habitat for the Armadillo Lizard
The minimal sizing tank for one to two armadillo lizards is 20 gallons . However , larger enclosures are always preferred , and your lizards will treasure more room to move . If you have more than two lizard , increase the size to hold each additional lounge lizard . They want places in the tank to climb on , such as branches , tree bark , rocks , and lounge lizard hideaways from pet storage . Their natural habitat is an arboreal desert , so simulating this environment is of import for their physical and genial wellness . The substratum for the tank bottom can be bark or reptile liners .
Armadillo Lizard Temperature Requirements
Their preferred daytime temperature is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime at 70 to 78 degrees . They will call for an area in the tank to bask with an average temperature of 90 to 105 degree . They do need some humidness of around 30 to 40 per centum . They also require a full spectrum light lightbulb that provides ultraviolet light of the correct spectrum bequeath on for eight to 10 60 minutes per day . Purchase a eminent - character light fixity specifically design for sustain reptiles with output in the correct wavelength .
Armadillo Lizard Health
On average , an armadillo lizard will dwell about 8 to 12 age , though they have been hump to inhabit up to 20 long time . They are not known to have manyhealth problems . However , like many favourite lizards , metabolic bone disease and respiratory return can be a problem . These can both be prevent with proper ignition , nutrition , and regular cleanings of the John Cage as well as continue humidness under 50 percent .
Conservation of the Armadillo Lizard
Armadillo lizards at one fourth dimension were in peril of extinction in their native South Africa and were officially number as avulnerable speciesin their household area until the 1990s . Currently , their prescribed status is " least business concern , " but it is illegal to trade in armadillo lizards in South Africa , which can affect their availability in the pet trade . While there are some captive - breed armadillo lizards available , this is a species that is strong to notice compare to more popular pet lizards .
Because it ’s illegal to export armadillo lizard from their native habitats , it ’s morally and ethically important to control your armadillo lizard was captive - multiply . Although you will in all probability incur a rampantly - caught armadillo lizard cheaper than one that is captive - bred , in addition to legal issues , they come with health outlet . Parasites are common in rampantly - catch armadillo lizards when they get in their new habitat . They could be taint with bacteria or computer virus that can spread to other reptile in your abode . They may also give way to thrive as a result of unconventional post - capture treatment .
Do Armadillo Lizards Make Good Pets?
The armadillo lizard is view agood choicefor beginners because of their docile temperament . While they do have specific requirements for their care , they are not as extensive liken with some reptile that considerably suited for more advanced owners . As long as you leave for them and keep at least two together , one male person and one female person , they can be interesting and unique - looking pet lizards . tame them when they are young can also make them willing to be held , though they ’re not as " cuddly " as some other preferred lizards , such asbearded dragon .
