Cordylus

...They mainly eat insects. The representative ones are the 12 species of the Cordylus genus, which are distributed in eastern and southern Africa. Their backs are covered with spiny scales, especially on the back of the head and neck, which are sharp and the entire tail is covered with developed spines, which serve as a weapon for self-defense. The giant cordon lizard C. giganteus (illustration) is 30-40 cm long, is ovoviviparous, and makes its nest in a hole dug by a mouse, giving birth to about two large young. ...

*Some of the terminology that mentions "Cordylus" is listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…おもに昆虫類を食べる。代表的なものはアフリカの東･南部に分布するヨロイトカゲ属Cordylusの12種で，背面はとげ状の鱗板で覆われ，とくに後頭部や頸部（けいぶ）では鋭いとげ状となり，また尾部全体が発達したとげに覆われ，自衛の武器となる。オオヨロイトカゲC.giganteus（イラスト）は全長30～40cm，卵胎生で，ネズミ類が掘った穴を巣穴とし2頭ほどの大きな子を生む。…

※「Cordylus」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報