Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Ouroborus cataphractus

Range

Occurs along western South Africa, from the Orange River area south toward the Piketberg Mountains, with inland records in the western Karoo.

Habitat

Shelters in cracks of rocky outcrops in dry Karoo shrubland.

Facts

• This lizard is recorded from a saxicolous microhabitat and a rocky/shrubland habitat type, so rocky ground and shrubs are key features to look for in its habitat.
• When threatened, it can grip its tail with its mouth and curl into an armored defensive ring.

Research sources

• GBIF Backbone Taxonomy
• ReptTraits — Ouroborus cataphractus
• The Reptile Database
• Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan; accepted former combination