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Live Birth of an Armadillo Lizard, Cordylus cataphractus and Live Birth of a Girdle-tailed Lizard, Cordylus warreni depressus.

Gary Fogel
kordylus@juno.com

The following photo essay depicts live births of two species of cordylid lizards.  These may be the only such births ever captured on film.  The first set of  photographs shows the birth of an armadillo lizard, Cordylus cataphractus.  This species gives birth to only one young at a time.   On August 22, 1993, during a routine cleaning, I noticed this lizard was not behaving in a normal manner, as it wasn’t moving its back legs.  Since I could see it was gravid, I grabbed my camera and positioned myself, hoping to document a live birth.  Amazingly, I accomplished my task and the whole process was over in less than two minutes.

 

1.     Cordylus cataphractus male and female in a typical copulating position.

2.     Adult female in birthing position, back legs completely off the ground.

3.     Baby is forming a bulge at the base of the female’s tail.

4.     Baby is ¼ of the way out of the cloaca.

5.     Baby continues its exit.

6.      Baby is almost out, except for its head.

7.     Female lifts backside higher, baby is clearly folded in two inside sac.

8.     Baby is encased in embryonic sac as female makes a final push.

9.     Baby is completely out, breaks membrane of sac and takes its first breath.

10.     Close-up of baby covered in membrane.

11.     Baby heads for the safety of hiding rock, female now ignores baby and hides also.

12.     Baby 45 minutes later after lifting up rock hiding place.

 

This birth process of a girdled-tailed lizard, Cordylus warreni depressus, took place in the summer of 1994 during the morning hours.  Again, I noticed that the gravid female was not moving much and again, hurriedly grabbed the camera to get into position.  These lizards can give birth to as many as six young.  This female gave birth to three; the first two had already broken their birth sacs before emerging, but the third one was still encased in the sac upon being born.

 

1.     Gravid female getting into position.

2.     Female’s tail lifted up, Baby #1 head can be seen coming out of birth canal.

3.     Female’s tail is lifted higher as baby #1 continues to slide out.

4.     Baby #1 is now born.

5.     Close up of baby #2 head coming out the birth canal.

6.     Baby# 2 is now born.

7.     Baby #3 is forming a bulge.

8.     Baby #3 is still encased in its embryonic sac, folded it two.

9.     Baby #3 is born.

10.     Baby #3 heads for cover.

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