This behavior, which resembles that of the mythical ouroboros and of the mammalian armadillo, gives it its taxonomic and English common names. In this shape, it is protected from predators by the thick, squarish scales along its back and the spines on its tail.
The armadillo girdled lizard possesses an uncommon antipredator adaptation, in which it rolls into a ball and takes its tail in its mouth when frightened. In its defensive position it looks like an Ourobouros Males are territorial, protecting a territory and mating with the females living there. It lives in social groups of up to 30 to 60 individuals of all ages, but usually fewer. In the wild, its most common prey items are termites, especially Microhodotermes viator and Hodotermes mossambicus. In captivity, it is commonly fed crickets. The armadillo girdled lizard feeds mainly on small invertebrates, such as insects and spiders, but sometimes also may take plant material. It inhabits rock outcrops and mountain slopes, preferably on sandstone substrate. cataphractus is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biome in the Northern and the Western Cape provinces of South Africa, where it occurs from the southern Richtersveld to the Piketberg Mountains and the southern Tankwa Karoo. It may grow to a maximum size of 8 in (20 cm) SVL.
Its size can range from 7.5 to 9 cm (3.0 to 3.5 in) in snout- vent length (SVL). The underbelly is yellow with a blackish pattern, especially under the chin. The armadillo girdled lizard can be a light brown to dark brown in coloration.
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