7- The East African spiny-tailed lizard - Cordylus tropidosternum :
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The East African spiny-tailed lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum), also commonly known as the dwarf sungazer or the tropical girdled lizard, is a species of arboreal or rupicolous (rock-dwelling) lizard endemic to East Africa.
East African spiny-tailed lizard
Scientific classification :
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Family:Cordylidae
Genus:Cordylus
Species:C. tropidosternum
Binomial name:
Cordylus tropidosternum
(Cope, 1869)
Synonyms[1]:
-
Zonurus tropidosternumCope, 1869
-
Zonurus parkeriCott, 1934
-
Cordylus tropidosternum— V. FitzSimons, 1943
Habitat :
The preferred habitat of the East African spiny-tailed lizard is dry forests.
Geographic range :
C. tropidosternum ranges from the southern coast of Kenya to eastern Zimbabwe and central Mozambique.
Behavior :
Dwarf sungazers are diurnal. They lay down fat reserves in preparation for the dry season.
Description :
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.
Tropical girdled lizards are almost identical to the Limpopo girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii ) and the Ukinga girdled lizard (Cordylus ukingensis). Limpopo girdled lizards have smooth scales on the throat and belly (C. tropidosternum has keeled scales) and its nostril is in the center of the nasal scale (the nostril of C. tropidosternum is positioned in the lower posterior corner of the nasal scale). The Ukinga girdled lizard has distinctive white lips, a small ridge over each eye (supraocular ridge), and the loreal scale is fused with the preocular scale (they are separate in C. tropidosternum and C. jonesii ).
As pets :
The tropical girdled lizard is exported from Tanzania and Mozambique for the pet trade where it is commonly referred to as the “armadillo lizard” or “forest armadillo lizard or “Jones's armadillo lizard”. Tropical girdled lizards are not flattened like the true armadillo Lizard (Cordylus cataphractus) and do not grasp their tail and roll into a ball for defense. With gentle handling and plenty of hiding places, tropical girdled lizards become excellent, long-lived pets and can be trained to accept food from their owner’s hand.[citation needed]
Diet :
As pets they are insectivores and can eat crickets, meal worms, phoenix worms, and occasionally wax worms.
Breeding :
They give birth to 1-4 live young.
For the external links , refrences click here to read the full wikipedia article
Video :
Cordylus Tropidosternum (East African Spiny Tailed Lizard) Care
The Tropical Girdled Lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) is the most readily available of the 30+ Cordylus species, and offers an excellent introduction to the group. It is sometimes sold as the “Armadillo Lizard”, confusing purchasers who had in mind another (and, at $1,200+ each, vastly more expensive!) species with the same common name, C. cataphractus. It also occasionally appears under the name “East African Spiny-tailed Lizard”.
Care articles :
Like any other species .. please click here :
1- Breeding the Tropical Girdled Lizard (Forest Armadillo Lizard)
courtesy to : blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatreptileblog
Tropical Girdled Lizards in Captivity :
Don’t let their inexpensive price tag mislead you – Tropical GirdledLlizards are no less interesting in appearance or behavior than their pricey cousins. In fact, the “true” Armadillo Lizard, C. cataphractus, which is no longer exported from South Africa, is one of the shyest reptiles I’ve ever encountered.
When kept properly, these southeast African natives may reward you by reproducing, always a thrill for responsible herp keepers (judging from the size of the young, the event is less thrilling for the moms – please see below!). While not bold, they are no as retiring as most related species, and are relatively easy to observe.
Girdled Lizards give birth to 1-4 huge live youngsters. The hatchling pictured here, born at the Maritime Aquarium in Connecticut, is one of a litter of 2 – their total mass seemed to be nearly half that of their mother.
Temperature Fluctuations in Nature and Captivity :
In their native South Africa, Tropical Girdled Lizards hibernate during the winter, and a cooling off period was believed necessary to induce captive reproduction. Good results are usually achieved after captives have been held at temperatures of 58-60 F for 4-6 weeks. During this time they move about a bit, and drink, but do not feed.
However, I’ve recently received reports of captive births (females bear 1-4 large, well-developed youngsters) among lizards subjected to little if any change in temperature. In some situations, normal seasonal fluctuations in the temperature of the room in which the lizards are held seems to be enough to stimulate reproduction.
Reproduction Without a Traditional “Winter”
In the most recent breeding of which I’ve been informed, births occurred in a terrarium maintained at an ambient of 77 F with a basking site of 95 F. The room in which the terrarium was located was heated during the winter and air conditioned during the summer, which may have “switched seasons” on the lizards, but they bred none-the-less.
In another situation, the terrarium was in a room maintained at approximately 75 F year-round, but, being near a window, may have been subjected to the effects of outdoor temperatures.
Caring for Youngsters – UVB Light
Tropical Girdled Lizards seem to form loosely connected colonies in the wild; captives usually fare well in groups, but dominant individuals sometimes prevent others from feeding and basking.
Young lizards should have access to UVB light. However, they are quite shy, and may not bask often, especially if adults are present. Also, they tend not to climb to the top of rock piles and such when basking, preferring to remain at or close to the terrarium’s floor – at which point they may be too far from the bulb to obtain adequate UVB exposure. Therefore, newborns are best removed to shallow enclosures, in order to maximize UVB exposure (they should be able to bask within 6-12 inches of florescent UVB bulbs).
Useful UVB and UVA Lamps (Bulbs) :
A Zoo Med 10.0 UVB bulb positioned within 6 to 8 inches of the basking site, is ideal. Mercury vapor bulbscan be used in situations where the basking site cannot be positioned within 12 inches of the bulb.
A source of UVA light, while perhaps not critical for survival, will help to encourage natural behaviors and reproduction.
Further Reading :
Recently I have helped to set up new reptile and amphibian exhibit areas for The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT (long known for its excellent collection of native marine life), and was happy to learn that Girdled Lizards have reproduced there (off exhibit).
While the role of UVB light in reptile care is well-understood, we know less about UVA. For some thoughts and observations, please see Providing UVA to Reptiles and Amphibians.
2- Dwarf Sungazer (Cordlyus tropidosternum.)
Vivarium: PT-2605 Exo Terra Terrarium (18” x 18” x 18”) is good for Two Sungazers
Lighting: Exo Terra Dual canopy PT-2230. 2 X PT-2169 Repti Glo 10.0 15” 14w tubes. 2 x Sun Glo Halogen Basking Spots 35w.
Heating: Royce Heat Mat 12 x 16”. Habistat Mat Stat set at 28°C. Thermometer.
Substrate: Desert or playpen sand.
Décor: Medium water bowl PT-2802. Bark Cave or similar. Two or three plants from our selection PT-3000-3052.
Calcium and vitamins: Exo-Terra Calcium +D3. Exo-Terra Multi Vitamin Powder.
Many reptiles require a diet based on live or fresh foods, due to their specific feeding habits. These are readily available, but in themselves do not offer a balanced supply of nutrients. To ensure your pet receives a properly balanced diet, it is important to increase the nutrient content of these foods with a nutrient supplement.
CARE :
Cordlyus tropidosternum. Dwarf Sungazer, Girdled Lizard, East African Spiny-tailed Lizard.
Size. : 6" - 9"
Lifespan. : 7-12 years
Distribution :
Extends along the East African coast Kenya south to Central Mozambique and West to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Diet :
Their natural diet is winged termites, but it is little bit difficult to get termites in captivity. They also feed on moths and spiders. Instead you can feed them with live crickets, locusts and other insects. Before feeding the lizards with the insects they should be dusted with Calcium powder four times a week and twice with a vitamin powder such as Nutrobal or similar. They also need UV light such as Repti light 10 compact. You will need to have a little water bowl in their terrarium so they can drink and take a bath when they are shedding their skin.
Feeding is not a problem. They eat all you give them, crickets, locusts, wax worms, mealworms, spiders. Every other day or so offer some greens such as Dandelion leaves or salad mixed leaves, not iceberg lettuce, spinach or any of the cabbage family.
Add plenty of rocks bog wood for them to climb amongst and for hiding and sleeping in.
Many reptiles require a diet based on live or fresh foods, due to their specific feeding habits. These are readily available, but in themselves do not offer a balanced supply of nutrients. To ensure your pet receives a properly balanced diet, it is important to increase the nutrient content of these foods with a nutrient supplement.
Substrate : I find the best substrate is playpen sand, Eco Earth, or Coir.
These are shy lizards and hate being picked up.
Temperature Basking spot 33-35°C and a cool side at around 20°C is suitable for them.
Calcium and vitamins: Exo-Terra Calcium +D3. Exo-Terra Multi Vitamin Powder.
Sexing :
It can take a little patience to sex these lizards? Look at the shape of the body, the females have nice curves more rounded and thinner just above the vent before the tail. The male looks more robust in the body and broader between the rear legs or vent area.
Breeding :
Breeding requires brumation/hibernation for 6-8 weeks at 10-15°C. Before brumation is started food should be slowly cut down until you have stopped feeding. This will give them time to digest the food and then slow down their metabolism if they are feed while they are about to brumate or while they are brumating
food will rot inside them causing health problems or death. After the 6-8 weeks brumation slowly increase the temperature and as they become more active start feeding again. Put some breeding boxes in the vivarium and keep checking for eggs. Incubate the eggs as you would for leopard geckos.
Cordylus : Introduction , general care and information
1- Giant girdled lizard - Cordylus giganteus : PART One , PART Two
2- The black girdled lizard - Cordylus niger
3- The Mozambique girdled lizard - Cordylus mossambicus or Smaug mossambicus
4- The armadillo girdled lizard - Ouroborus ( Cordylus ) cataphractus
5- The Cape girdled lizard - Cordylus cordylus
6- Zoutpansberg girdled lizard - Cordylus depressus (Smaug depressus)
7- The East African spiny-tailed lizard - Cordylus tropidosternum PART One -- PART Two
8- The Transvaal girdled lizard - Cordylus vittifer
Cordylus : Introduction , general care and information
1- Giant girdled lizard - Cordylus giganteus : PART One , PART Two
2- The black girdled lizard - Cordylus niger
3- The Mozambique girdled lizard - Cordylus mossambicus or Smaug mossambicus
4- The armadillo girdled lizard - Ouroborus ( Cordylus ) cataphractus
5- The Cape girdled lizard - Cordylus cordylus
6- Zoutpansberg girdled lizard - Cordylus depressus (Smaug depressus)
7- The East African spiny-tailed lizard - Cordylus tropidosternum PART One -- PART Two
8- The Transvaal girdled lizard - Cordylus vittifer
FAMILY CORDYLIDAE
1- Genus Cordylus - girdled or Armadillo lizard
2- Genus Chamaesaura - Grass lizards
3- Genus Platysaurus - Flat lizards