Tropical Girdled Lizard

About the Tropical Girdled Lizard

The East African armadillo lizard, dwarf sungazer, or tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) is a species of arboreal or rupicolous (rock-dwelling) lizard endemic to East Africa. The preferred habitat of the East African armadillo lizard is dry forests.

C. tropidosternum ranges from the southern Kenya through Tanzania and Malawi to southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, northeast Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Dwarf sungazers are diurnal. They lay down fat reserves in preparation for the dry season.

Tropical girdled lizards are brown above with dark brown and cream spots or thin dark bands. A conspicuous black stripe runs along each side of the neck from the ear to the shoulder. The lips, throat, and belly are cream. The tail is very spiny. Adults are 160–190 mm (6.3–7.5 in) in total length (including tail). Males have slightly wider heads than females (The length of a male's head is about 1.25 times the width, whereas the length of a female's head is about 1.33 times the width.) and are aggressive toward other males of the same species. Both sexes have femoral pores.

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