Armadillo Girdled Lizard as Pets Complete Guide

Armadillo girdled lizards can make great pets for experienced reptile owners, but they do require a lot of space and specialized care.

They need a large enclosure with plenty of hiding places and a temperature range of 75-90°F (24-32°C) to thrive.

In the wild, armadillo girdled lizards live in groups, so it's best to keep them in pairs or small groups in captivity.

Their diet consists mainly of insects, which should be gut-loaded before feeding them to the lizards.

Armadillo girdled lizards are also known to be active during the day, so they need a lot of stimulation and exercise to keep them happy and healthy.

They can live up to 15-20 years in captivity, so owning one is a long-term commitment.

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Armadillo Girdled Lizards have moderate care requirements. They need a suitable environment to thrive.

You'll want to provide a spacious enclosure with adequate ventilation to keep the air fresh. Armadillo Lizards are active animals and need room to move around.

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A temperature range of 75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for these reptiles. Make sure to maintain a temperature gradient to allow your pet to regulate its body temperature.

A diet of live insects is necessary for Armadillo Lizards. Feed them a variety of insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and waxworms, in moderation.

Hydration is also crucial, so make sure to provide a shallow water dish for your pet to drink from.

A 20-gallon tank is a good starting point for an adult armadillo girdled lizard, but a larger enclosure is always better for providing enrichment.

To create a suitable environment, you'll want to provide plenty of vertical space for your lizard to climb. Rocks and branches are ideal for this purpose, and make sure they're sturdy enough to support your lizard's weight.

A dry, loose substrate like sand or a sand-soil mix is a good choice, but avoid substrates that can cause impaction if ingested.

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Hiding spots are essential for armadillo girdled lizards, and you can create these using cork bark, rocks, or artificial caves. This will help your lizard feel secure and reduce stress.

Here are some recommended hiding spot options:

Remember to place one hide on the warm side of the enclosure and one on the cool side, and add extra hides for each additional lizard you add to the tank.

Armadillo girdled lizards are insectivores, which means they primarily eat insects. In the wild, their diet consists mostly of termites, along with other small insects.

Larger groups of armadillo girdled lizards will eat a diet made up of more termites. Individuals living alone or in smaller groups eat a diet made up of insects with a much smaller ratio of termites.

Pet armadillo girdled lizards can be fed a diet similar to leopard geckos, with crickets and dubia cockroaches being great options. These insects should be no longer than the width of the space between their eyes.

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Babies and growing juveniles should be fed as many insects as they will eat in 5-10 minutes daily, usually between 5 to 10 insects every day. Remove any uneaten insects after 10 minutes to prevent them from biting your lizard when the light goes out.

Adults should be fed about five larger insects every other day. It's essential to dust the insects with vitamin D3 and calcium powder on alternating days.

Armadillo girdled lizards will occasionally eat vegetables, but it's best to stick to an insectivore diet as it's closer to their natural diet. Fresh, clean water should always be provided, and a flat, shallow water bowl is ideal due to their flat bodies.

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Armadillo girdled lizards have moderate care requirements, with specific needs for their environment, diet, and overall well-being.

Their diet consists of a variety of foods, including insects and other small invertebrates.

These lizards require a suitable enclosure that mimics their natural habitat, with a temperature range of 75-90°F and a humidity level of 30-50%.

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A moderate level of activity is essential for their physical and mental health, so make sure to provide plenty of space for them to move around.

Their environment should also have adequate ventilation to prevent the buildup of ammonia from their waste.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of their enclosure is crucial to prevent the spread of disease and maintain a healthy environment.

Armadillo girdled lizards typically have 1-2 babies at a time.

These young lizards are unique in that their parents take care of and feed them.

As the young grow, they reach sexual maturity around 4 inches in length.

Armadillo lizards are a unique addition to any reptile collection due to their armored scales and dragon-like appearance. Their distinctive look makes them a standout pet.

They require specific care, which can be challenging for beginners. These lizards are not the best choice for those just starting out with reptile keeping.

For experienced keepers, armadillo lizards can be a rewarding pet, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of these intriguing reptiles.

Armadillo lizards can live for up to 25 years when given the right care and kept in a good tank setup.

To keep them happy and healthy, it's essential to minimize handling, as excessive handling can stress them out.

A 20-gallon long tank with UVB lighting is a great size to keep them comfortable and active.

Feeding them insects every other day is a good rule of thumb, as it provides them with the nutrients they need to thrive.

Femoral pore infections are a common issue with armadillo lizards, and they can be prevented by adding sandstone to the tank so they can scrape their pores.

The life cycle of some animals is quite fascinating.

In general, 1-2 babies are born at a time.

The Armadillo girdled lizard takes care and feeds its young, another unusual trait among lizards.

Armadillo lizards can be a bit skittish when you walk by their enclosure, but they make beautiful display animals as they bask throughout the day.

If you approach their tank too fast, they will quickly ball up by biting their tail and show off their armored scales.

You can keep more than one armadillo lizard together, but only if there is only one male in the tank.

Keep an eye on hierarchies developing in your group of armadillo lizards, and if you notice one lizard chasing another, you might need to house it in its own enclosure.

Armadillo lizards are a fascinating group of animals, and there are ten different subspecies to learn about.

The most commonly kept pet armadillos are the golden armadillo, Limpopo girdled, giant girdled, and East African armadillos.

Armadillo girdled lizards, also known as golden armadillos, are the most popular pet species and are found in semi-arid parts of Southern Africa.

They are light to dark brown, usually with gold highlights on some of their spiked scales, and measure 4.7 to 6.3 inches long.

Limpopo girdled lizards, or Jones’s girdled lizards, are native to the dry forests of South Africa and are often found in trees or hiding under bark.

They can reach about 6.5 inches in length, but have narrower heads than the more popular golden species.

Giant girdled lizards, also known as sungazers, are known for pointing their heads up towards the sun when basking.

Their spikes are larger than other species and create a ring all the way around their necks.

Babies are specked with a yellow that normally fades to a dark brown, with gold spots.

Armadillo lizards are not a good fit for families looking for a lizard that they can interact with and handle regularly.

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Armadillo Lizards are not known for being particularly handleable, they're shy and skittish, and prefer to avoid human interaction.

While they can tolerate occasional handling, they're more of a "look but don't touch" pet, making them a less-than-ideal choice for those seeking a cuddly companion.

Their hardiness is a plus, but it's essential to respect their boundaries and not force interaction when they're not in the mood.

Armadillo Lizards rarely bite, but if they do, it's usually a defensive reaction. Their bites are not dangerous but can be surprising due to their strong jaws.

They are not typically aggressive, so you're unlikely to encounter biting issues if you handle them gently.

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Armadillo Lizards are not known for being particularly handleable. They are shy and skittish, preferring to avoid human interaction.

Handling them occasionally is possible, but they are more of a "look but don't touch" pet. They are hardy and can tolerate occasional handling, but it's essential to respect their boundaries.

Armadillo Lizards are not suited for frequent handling, and their natural instinct is to flee when approached. This makes them a better choice for observant pet owners rather than those seeking hands-on interaction.

Armadillo girdled lizards can be a bit finicky, so it's essential to consider their needs before bringing one home. They're not fond of handling and can be skittish, so be prepared for a lizard that may not enjoy being held or cuddled.

To keep your armadillo girdled lizard happy and healthy, you'll need to pay close attention to their specific care requirements. This includes maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels, which can be a challenge for some owners.

If you're new to lizard care, you may find that finding a captive-bred armadillo girdled lizard is a difficult task. They're rare and often hard to come by, so be prepared to do some research and potentially wait a while to find the right one.

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Armadillo Lizards are rare in the pet trade, and their availability varies depending on the species.

Some species are more readily available than others, but this can also impact their price.

Their rarity makes them a significant investment, with costs ranging from $500 to $5,000 or more.

This high price point can be a major consideration for potential owners.

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Handling these animals can be a challenge, as they're not fond of being handled and can be skittish.

Specific care requirements are a must, which means you'll need to pay close attention to precise temperature and humidity levels.

These animals are rare, and finding them can be difficult, especially when looking for captive-bred individuals.

Some of the key cons of owning these animals include: