The Ouroboros Lizard: when this lizard feels threatened, it curls its body into a loop and tucks its tail into its mouth, shielding itself with the tough, spiky plates along its back
The scientific name of this species is Ouroborus cataphractus, and it's commonly known as the armadillo girdled lizard or the ouroboros lizard, thanks to its unusual defensive posture.
Above: Ouroborus cataphractus
When threatened, the lizard clamps its mouth onto the end of its tail and curls itself into a ball, effectively shielding the most vulnerable parts of its body (the soft underbelly and throat) with the bony dorsal plates that cover its back, tail, limbs and neck. This defense mechanism makes it look like a mythical ouroboros -- a dragon-like creature that devours its own tail.
Above: the armadillo girdled lizard in its defensive pose
These lizards are found in the rocky deserts and shrublands of South Africa, where they live in social groups that can contain 30-60 individuals.
As this article explains:
The lizards are unique in occurring in extended family groups that share a particular rock crevice. These groups typically consist of an adult pair with multiple subadult and small juvenile offspring, although it is suspected that not all lizards in a group are related. Smaller armadillo lizards may gain some protection by staying near the older lizards, and the adult lizards may even provide food to younger lizards.
Armadillo lizards perform several actions that help them communicate with one another, including head bobbing, tail wagging, or tongue flicking. These signals can aid in reproduction, or, in the case of tongue flicking, can warn unfamiliar lizards to leave.
Above: another photo of the "ouroboros" pose
This species also provides extensive parental care to its offspring. The female gives birth to live young (instead of laying eggs) and typically produces just one baby each year; the juveniles and subadult offspring then remain in the mother's care for 2-3 years.
Above: Ouroborus cataphractus
Unfortunately, this species is currently threatened by the effects of climate change and the illegal animal trade, with wild populations declining over the course of the last few decades.
According to this article:
The armadillo girdled lizard is now considered one of the most heavily trafficked reptiles in southern Africa. Growing overseas demand for the exotic pet trade has resulted in hundreds being removed from the wild every year.
Demand from the illegal pet trade continues to grow, and once animals leave the country, they are almost impossible to recover. What we can do is raise awareness, avoid sharing GPS coordinates of sightings, refrain from posting identifiable habitats online, and support enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
Above: a dorsal view of the armadillo girdled lizard
I also wrote a post about the spectacled salamander a few months ago, which is another species that curls its body into a hoop-like formation when threatened.
Animal Diversity Web: Ouroborus cataphractus
ARKive: The Armadillo Girdled Lizard
Exmoor Zoo: Armadillo Girdled Lizards
IUCN Red List of Endangered Species: Ouroborus cataphractus
Biological Conservation: Trade in Live Reptiles, its Impact on Wild Populations, and the Role of the European Market (PDF)
Smithsonian Nature Guide: Ouroborus cataphractus
Endangered Wildlife Trust: Uncurling a Future: the Release of 98 Armadillo Girdled Lizards
South African National Biodiversity Institute: Ouroborus cataphractus on the Sensitive Species List
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