Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been searching online for help, but I can only find general care info for Cordylus sp. It suggests a desert set up with a hot spot between 110F and 120F. I'm pretty sure I have a baby Cordylus cordylus and he didn't seem to like the temps that high. Can anyone point me to care info specific to Cordylus cordylus? Thank you very much for your time.

Hello:
Without seeing a picture it's hard to be sure but chances are you probably do not have a "true" Armadillo lizard. You probably have a baby Forest Armadillo Lizard (Cordylus t. tropidosternum) or a young Jones Armadillo Lizard (C. t. Jonesi). These two sub-species are available on a regular basis throughout the pet trade. True Armadillo Lizards have rarely been available since the early 1970's.
Care for Forest Armadillo Lizards is similar to that of C. cordylus. The thing you have to be careful of is that even though these lizards come from dry savannah areas of Southeastast Africa the babies can become easily dehydrated.
If you check back in both the new and old archives of this forum you will find lots of info on "Armadillo Lizards" as we have talked about them at length on many occasions in the last nine years. If you have any questions just post them.
Have a Great Day!!!

Thank you for the info. You were right; I have a baby C. tropidosternum. I looked up pictures to confirm. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Hello:
I'm glad you figured out what it was. Baby trops can be very hardy and grow quickly. I've seen them triple their size within four months. Cordylids remain one of my favorite lizards. I wish there was more interest in the smaller species like C. t. tropidosternum and C. t. jonesii.
If you have any other questions just post them.
Have a Great Day!!!

One correction here, my friends.
Cordylus tropidosternum is one species, and it is arboreal-semiarboreal species. Cordylus jonesi is a valid separete identifiable smaller and rare species (not subspecies) with distinct areal and it is like tropidosternum leads arboreal style of life. You can clearly realize it looking on the lizard from the side.
More of this they're more humid than "classical" RSA species.
Good luck with it!
These are my favourit group lizards.
If You need any help and assistance - just contact me.
I'm more than willing in info exchange!