Oct 11, 2025
Black Girdled Lizard (Cordylus niger), family Cordylidae, found in two isolated populations in South Africa
photographs: Karsten Kamke & Prosthetic Head
seen from Sweden
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Singapore
seen from Singapore
seen from China
seen from Netherlands
seen from Bulgaria
seen from Russia
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Poland
seen from Russia
seen from United States
Black Girdled Lizard (Cordylus niger), family Cordylidae, found in two isolated populations in South Africa
photographs: Karsten Kamke & Prosthetic Head
Uncharismatic Fact of the Day
Can you guess where the armadillo lizard-- also known as Ouroborus cataphractus gets its name from? It's because when they're threatened these lizards will take their tail in their mouth and roll into a ball so that the thick armor on their back protects them-- just like an armadillo, or an ouroborus!
As a bonus fun feature, armadillo lizards also have the largest recorded genome of any squamate!
(Image: An armadillo lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) by Alex Rebelo)
A birthday/new year gift for a friend of mine. 🥂🧁🥂
Armadillo Girdled Lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus), HE BITE HIM OWN TAIL!!! family Cordylidae, West Coast, South Africa
photograph by Tyrone Ping
Armadillo Girdled Lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus), HE BITE HIM OWN TAIL!!! (defensive position), family Cordylidae, endemic to desert areas along the western coast of South Africa
photograph by Saurian Farms
Sekhukhune Flat Lizard (Platysaurus o. orientalis), males, family Cordylidae, endemic to South Africa
photographs: Johan Marais & Nilsroe
Common Flat Lizard (Platysaurus intermedius rhodesianus), male, family Cordylidae, Matabos National Park, SW Zimbabwe
photograph by Michal Cerny
Waterberg Dragon Lizard or Waterberg Girdled Lizard (Smaug breyeri), family Cordylidae, Limpopo, South Africa
photograph by Tyrone Ping