Common name : Armadillo spiny-tailed lizard
Scientific name : Cordylus cataphractus
Family : Cordylidae
Native to : Deserts of west coast of South Africa
Interesting fact : It can roll into a ball like an armadillo when threatened.
Conservation status : Vulnerable
Covered in spiny scales, these lizards inhabit deserts and rocky areas. Their flat bodies snugly fit into rock crevices. They also shed their tails in case of danger. Their unusual appearance makes them popular pets and vulnerable as a species. They have a good sense of smell to detect predators and prey. They feed on termites and insects.
