The dragon has fascinated humans for centuries. For various reasons, we’ve been obsessed with them.
They’re everywhere, whether it’s from television programs such as Game of Thrones or board games like Dungeons and Dragons, or even your favorite tale.
So it should come as no surprise that we were ecstatic when we discovered the armadillo lizard, one of the most distinctive animals on Earth, also known as the tiny dragon.
The armadillo lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) is named for how it coils into a ball as a defense, just like an armadillo. It has a thorny outside skin that gives it the appearance of being one of the world’s most distinctive and peculiar reptiles.
It’s more protected when curling into a ball because it has tough, sharp armor, just like an armadillo.
In order to safeguard themselves from the region’s tough weather and predators, these dragons conceal in rock holes in South African deserts.
Surprisingly, these tiny creatures enjoy a little sunbath and are the only reptiles that do not lay eggs.
Currently, there is a problem with these tiny dragons being so popular as pets that they require little to survive and are easy to catch because of their slow-moving nature.
This is why the illegal trade has increased, and these creatures are now at risk of extinction.
They’d be in trouble if they didn’t have a body of armor-like spikes to make up for the speed.
They live in South Africa, where they may appear to be terrifying dragons, but they prefer to flee when approached by other animals.
These lizards come in various hues, ranging from pale yellowish-brown to darker brown.
Everything is concealed except the soft underside after it has fully curled up. It employs other body parts as additional layers of protection. This remarkable defense ensures that it is saved from predators such as big birds and snakes.
They grow to be only four inches long and live for more than a decade.
Their diet is particularly unusual for their species. They like tiny insects and invertebrates, especially termites.
When it comes to mating season, males of the species are naturally territorial and become even more so when protecting their female partners.
They only give birth to one or two of their young each year since they do not lay eggs. They are social creatures that may congregate in groups of over 60 individuals at a time.
It’s unusual to see one of these lizards on its own in nature.
Unfortunately, humans are the single most harmful factor to these animals; they make excellent pets and have therefore been increasing in the black market.
