South Africa (18 December 2025) - Ninety-eight Armadillo Girdled Lizards have been released back into the wild after being rescued from the illegal pet trade. They were part of a group of more than 100 lizards rescued from the exotic pet trade in the Northern Cape earlier this year. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) says the species is now considered one of the most heavily trafficked reptiles in southern Africa, largely because of illegal wildlife trade. They’re sought after because they're such fascinating creatures. But it is important to know that they belong in the wild and not in a reptile terrarium. Armadillo Girdled Lizards are small and heavily armoured. They’re found only in South Africa and live along rocky outcrops in the Western Cape, feeding mostly on termites and finding shelter in narrow crevices. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball and bite their own tail, protecting their softer underparts with sharp, overlapping scales.