# East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard (*cordylus tropidosternum*) The East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard is a fun and spiky little creature! It loves to bask in the sun and can often be found sunning itself on rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** They live in dry, rocky areas and grasslands of East Africa. - **Also known as:** African Spiny-Tailed Lizard, Spiny Lizard, Tropical Spiny-Tailed Lizard ![East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Tropical_Girdled_Lizard_P9240103.JPG&width=800) Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tropical_Girdled_Lizard_P9240103.JPG) ## Appearance The East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard has a flattened body covered in rough, keeled scales, giving it a somewhat bumpy texture. Its most striking feature is its robust, spiny tail. Typically dull brown or grey, it often has a lighter, yellowish underside. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Family:** Cordylidae - **Genus:** Cordylus ## Interesting facts - If caught by a predator, they can drop their tail to escape! - Their tough scales act like armor, protecting them from danger. - These lizards love to sunbathe on rocks to warm up their bodies! - They give birth to live babies, not eggs, which is rare for lizards! ## Special abilities - **Spiny Shield Tail:** East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard has a spiky tail that helps them wedge into rock crevices for defense. - **Sun Power Recharge:** East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard can bask in the sun to warm its body, which helps them move quickly. - **Armored Scales:** East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard has tough, keeled scales that help them protect against scratches and predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-4 ## Diet & Feeding These lizards munch on insects, small invertebrates, and various types of plant matter! - **Primary Foods:** crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, leaves, flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Tawny Eagle (*Aquila rapax*) — hunted by birds of prey - **Eaten by:** [Egyptian Cobra](https://www.snappit.app/explore/egyptian-cobra) (*Naja haje*) — preyed upon by snakes - **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — preys on various insects - **Eats:** Mealworm Beetle (*Tenebrio molitor*) — eats larval forms of insects ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and do not try to pick them up. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard? 15-20 cm ### How much does East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard weigh? 0.02-0.05 kg ### How long does East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard live? 5-10 years ### How fast can East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard move? 12 km/h ### What does East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard eat? These lizards munch on insects, small invertebrates, and various types of plant matter! ### Where is East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard usually found? They live in dry, rocky areas and grasslands of East Africa. ### How does East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard hunt? Foraging ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [East African Spiny-Tailed Lizard Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/east-african-spiny-tailed-lizard)