Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello
I am interested in keeping Tanzanian Armadillo Lizards but cant find info on them . I am not sure if even in right forum for them.
Interested in adult size,day-night temps and any info you can give me.
thanks

Are you talking about the ones from the Kingsnake ad?? I've been trying to find information too, and haven't found diddly. Did you e-mail the seller? I got a quick reply with some basic info this morning, and I'm hoping for more tomorrow.

Yes that was the one. I didnt email the seller because wanted info from anyone who has kept them. I saw them for sale last yr at reptile expo and they look better in life than pics.
I didnt buy them than and regreted it but knew nothing on them than I saw them again for sale in classified last month.
Now its to hot to order them as its about 90 or more every day and at those temps to risky plus I still dont know anything about them. A spoke to someone that ordered from the guy if its the same Fyb i think he was happy but he ordered in cooler temp.
If you find out how to keep them it would be great if you can post the info because still might get them when temp cools or if I see them again at reptile expo.
thanks

Here is a copy of my correspondence with the seller so far. He responded very quickly, so I'm hoping for a second reply tomorrow.

Hello,

I saw your ad on Kingsnake, and was curious if I could house a single armadillo,or better yet a pair in a 20 gallon aquarium? I've only found 2 very poor care sheets on these guys. One said a 20 is fine, the other said 29 minimum for a single animal. I have a friend who had some as a kid, and absolutely loved
them. The fact that you have gravid females is also very appealing, especially since they give live birth. What a fabulous little critter. Any information you can provide would be great.

Thanks,
Alinda Buckingham

They are very social lizards they do well in pairs and groups but also do well in single animal setups. I don't think anything larger than a 20 gallon is necessary for up to 4 of these guys. I recommend cypress mulch or equivalent substrate lots of uv light as well as much crickets and daily misting. If there is any more specific information that you require let me know ASAP...

Joshua Guerrero, FYB Exotics
www.fybexotics.com

Do a google search for cordylus species. It seems like their requirements only vary slightly. From what I've found, the ones he's selling are a semi-arboreal species, and need a more tropical setup rather than a desert setup.

If I learn anything more, I will post it.

Oh, what were they selling for at the show, do you remember? These are the only ones I've ever seen for sale, so I have no idea if its a good price or not. It sounds reasonable to me for a small/medium lizard, but I have nothing to compare it with...

There are different types of armidillo lizards these are the small types. I myself like small lizards that can be kept in 30 gallons or so and I know these are okay in groups like he said but thats all I know.
I looked for info about them before I posted my question here wanted to find out from anyone that has them but found no one.
I also know that the Tanzanian lizards need certain temps from day and at night some 10 to 15 degree drop not sure about these.
The ones I have seen in pet stores are the BIG types (sun gazers)not these as these arent that common. I recall they were cheaper in reptile expo but he has pregnant ones and again not common.
I dont know how safe it is to ship now as its HOT. When I asked about them in May it was like 70s now its 90s.
My friend bought from this co and happy with them honest people however I dont know how well recent imports do in this heat .
At petstores you see lizards like these but they are baby Sungazers which get over a foot easy these stay small. I am actually going to look for them at reptile show July 10th thats when I first saw them last yr.
In over a month no one answered my post here so guess no one keeps them.
If you happen to find out care info from anyone that has kept them again I would be interested. They seem to get imported around summer than dissapear.
Thanks

Hey, no problem. If I get them, I'll let you know how they do... It doesn't seem like anyone has the little guys. Just one more reason I want them...

I have two of these that I recently bought from a breeder. Their a 1.1 pair, eating gut loaded crickets, wax worms, and any veggies I can tricky them into eating. Right now they are in a twenty with some pine bedding intill I get the 75 long set up for some of the desert lizards. I put in some rocks for them to climb on, and a piece of cork bark. I have a small tin foil dish that holds water init if they need it.

they are not armadillo lizards, they are called girdle ;izards, they are lice bearers and can live for more then 20 years in captivity.
There are three species of girdle lizards in Tanzania and 2 are endemic, I have all three species of girdle lizards found in Tanzania.

I got a pair (babies) in Sept. I keep them in a 40 gallon long tank which gives them plenty of room. It has a heating/basking area in one side with UV bulb that is around 100 degrees and the cool side of the tank lit with flourescent plant light is around mid 70s.
the substrate is sand mixed with jungle litter and several wood logs for climbing and basking areas.
The tank has rocks and sand . The night temp is mid mid 80s on one side as use black light bulb and again cooler side mid 70s.
How do you keep yours ?

They seem to be doing well but interested in any other care tips.

thanks