East African spiny-tailed lizard

Dwarf - belt tail

The Tropical Girdled Lizard or dwarf - Girdled Lizard ( Cordylus tropidosternum ) is a species of the genus Girdle ( Cordylus ) within the family of lizards belt ( Cordylidae ).

Distribution and origin

The dwarf Girdle exist predominantly in southern Africa. The main distribution area includes the countries of Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Tanzania. In the northern areas of distribution, they are also found in southern Ethiopia. They inhabit savannas, or preferably dry steppe areas with bush -like vegetation but also upland savannas or in coastal areas. They can be found there often in the dead wood under dead tree trunks.

Nutrition

They are pure carnivores and feed primarily on invertebrates such as insects, worms and beetles.

Description and life

The dwarf - belt tail reaches total lengths up to 18 cm. The animals live in dry areas on or under woody debris and tree trunks.

Cordylus tropidosternum comes from habitats with temperature fluctuations. Night dips below 20 ° C are not uncommon.