Hi. I'm new to the forum. I live with numorous reptiles. My husband has snakes and arachnids, my kids have snakes and lizards, and I have a sulcatta tortoise and bearded dragons. I have recently purchased two armadillo lizards. I have been trying to figure out what kind I have. Does anyone know the difference between the so called Forest armadillo lizard and the Jones armadillo lizard? I heard that the forest is smaller. I've tried to look up pictures, but frankly, they all look the same. And most of the pictures don't seem to be labeled correctly, anyway. I know I don't have cordylas cataphractus, although I wish I did. I thought at first they were Jones( tropidosternum jonesi), but now I'm not so sure. I don't know the scientific name for the forest armadillo lizard. I was told that the Forests were from a less arid region. Any one out there know anything about these little guys? I would love to solve this mystery. I also would like to order a couple more, but I don't know which to order. Thanks for any help you can give me![/url]
the forest armidillo lizard isnt an armidillo lizard at all, in fact they are actually tropical girdled lizards. the only true armidillo lizard is the Cordylus cataphractus. if you have a picture of the lizard it would help out a lot more
Thank you. Today I actually think I've figured out the difference between these "armadillo" lizards. You're right. They aren't truely armadillo lizards at all, and I think I have Tropidosternum Jonesi, or the Jones Armadillo lizard (also known as the forest armadillo lizard). Anyway, they're cute little guys, and seem to be enjoying their larger accommodations.
Armdillo Lizard I, also am new, and have the same problem. I am trying to find another "armadillo lizard" to go with the one I have, and can't seem to find one here in the Austin area. "Jaws" doesn't look quite like the armadillo lizards I have researched on the internet, and seems to prefer hanging out in his humidifier or sitting on top of it (where it is still damp) to bask. I did find a pic of a "Forest armadillo lizard" and it looks just like him. I am still doing research to find out what exactly he is, since I think they live in colonies. Anybody have any clues or ideas? -Lori Driggers
Exotic Pets has these guys for sale. Their website is www.exoticpets-online.com, phone is 702-631-7387. They do live in groups, but may not be too happy if a newbie comes in. You need to keep an eye on them. Males will fight if females are present.
I have thought of that. I had planned to use a completely different cage, change out all the rocks, etc so they BOTH were in a new environment and I wasn't adding another lizard to "Jaws'" territory. I contatcted Exotic pets and have yet to get a reply. Supposedly they have gravid females (not that I want even MORE of these little boogers), but I don't think Jaws should live alone all his life. The beardie is fine and dandy alone (VERY, VERY spoiled) and I know they are solitary. Thanks for the input. -Lori
I started out with two and wasn't sure what sex I had. One was larger, but I didn't know if it was a male or just a larger female. I ordered a male and a female from Exotic Pets. I figured if I ended up with two males, I could separate them. Well, it seems that I had all females, so now I have a male and four females, which is great. The enclosure I have them in is large, so there's plenty of room. At first, the existing girls did not like the new intruders, and did a lot of nipping at them. They don't seem to mind them now, although I"m keeping my eye on them, just in case. And the newbies settled in right away, eating the first day I got them. I think you should get at least one more. It's so much more fun to see how they interact with each other. When you see the males and females together, you can see the obvious difference in head shape. The male has a much more triangular head. Good luck in your search! ~Karen
PigLady, I'm trying to decide between Rankins bearded and the "forest armadillo lizard" discussed above. I know Rankins are comfortable with handling and adorable to watch, but how do you compare the little fake armadillo's behavior now that you've had them a bit? Thanks
Hey guys! I'm new to the forums and I cannot tell if I have the same species lizards or what. I got them separately within 2 months of each other, almost a year ago. One of them, the one with the darker underside, is always hiding under the rock house i have in there. I've been using wood chip bedding and if they're forest armadillos then thats fine but I guess I should use sand if they're armadillo lizards. Also I believe they're males but I hope they're females so I can add a male. Either way if you guys could help me out that would be awesome!
Hey well I know the the armadillo lizard needs sand because they are dezert lizards so you need dezert sand from a pet store it is a little more expensive but it is better for the lizards also you have th jones armadillo lizard not the gurdeled armadillo lizard you can easly tell theme apart because the jones armadillo lizard is a darker brown back and the gurdeled armadillo lizard is more of an orange color and has larger spikes. To tell what sex the lizard is is nearly impossible it's pretty much a guessing game but the male usually has a larger head then the female and I think the male has a yellow under belly and the female has a dark under belly or the other way around but you should get one or two more and see which one has the bigger head and the ones with the bigger head are males. Make Shure that they are fully grown
