Armadillo Lizard Price: Why This Exotic Pet Is Not for Everyone

Many people want to have an armadillo lizard as a pet in their tank but wonder how much do Armadillo lizards cost and also their caring cost.

In this post, I break down everything you need to know about the price of armadillo lizards, from their cost to where you can buy them.

When you have a pet reptile in-house, it is not just buying and feeding a species. You need to invest your time & money in many other things. Those are the cost for a tank, food, medical cost, and breeding cost.

Armadillo lizard prices are based on their beauty, size, and gender. Armadillo lizards are pricey because of their rarity. They cost the lowest at $49.99 for one. However, a single species can cost up to $100 or more due to the scarcity of Armadillo lizards (2023 data).

How Much Do Armadillo Lizards Cost As Pets?

The best thing about armadillo lizards is that they only require reptile basic care. This means all you need to keep them happy is a regular tank, a cheap supply of crickets, and a regular heating unit.

One of the reasons why they are expensive is that they don’t give many offspring in the breeding season.

Armadillo Lizard Price Comparison At Pet Stores

Another reason armadillo lizards are expensive is that they are a rare reptile species, and there is a ban on their exportation in South Africa. 

However, the cost of armadillo lizards from breeders is not that expensive. 

Here is a list of online pet stores and how much they sell their armadillo lizards.

Note: The prices above do not include the shipping fees

Cost for Armadillo Lizard Cage Setup

Setting up an armadillo lizard tank is not such a big deal. You can easily keep armadillo lizards in a thirty-gallon glass tank. This type of tank can cost you between $200 plus an under-the-tank heating system for about $20.

However, these prices can vary based on the area that you live in or the market where you get your supplies. If you have good bargaining skills, you can pick one up for quite cheap.

Cost for Daily Food & Supplements

Although these stunning little lizards look like exotic pets, you will be surprised to learn that they are low maintenance, and all they need is a healthy diet of crickets.

You can get a pack of cricket of 50 for just $2.

Cost for Cohabitation

Before seeing a pair of armadillo lizards in your tank, you should budget around $2000 to $2200.

This is because you will need an additional setup and a new Armadillo lizard. However, cohabitation for a long time can affect your armadillo lizard’s growth rate.

You will need at least a 40-gallon glass tank with a bit of luck when you are keeping two armadillo lizards together.

Armadillo lizards react to cohabitation differently as it varies from one species to another.

This will also help you decide the measures you need to take to make them get along.

Cost for Armadillo Lizard Healthcare

Generally, you can cover the monthly health insurance of your Armadillo lizard with about $10-$15.

However, you must budget about $80-$100 for a proper vet visit based on your region and pet store.

Where Can I Buy An Armadillo Lizard?

The only hindrance to getting an armadillo lizard is that their trade has been made illegal around some states, and the government banned their export in South Africa.

This is because they were recently listed as mildly endangered species.

Here are some places where you can buy an armadillo lizard.

Pet Stores

Armadillo lizards are usually collected from the wild in South Africa. However, because of their unusual and exotic look, they are sold in pet shops around North America and Europe.

It is quite hard to find armadillo lizards in your regular pet shops.

You will need to do some research when looking for one. Because they are illegal to trade in numerous countries, you will need to go for a captive armadillo lizard.

Pros of Getting Your Armadillo Lizards From Pet Stores

• You can determine if the armadillo lizards are tame or not
• You can make a live inspection before the purchase
• You can learn about their preferences and history beforehand

Cons Of Getting Your Armadillo Lizards From pet Stores

• It is only a handful of stores that have permission to sell them

Breeders

Armadillo lizards are among the few reptiles that do not lay eggs. They only give birth to 1-2 once a year. This is why their numbers are so low.

However, many breeders, such as Backwater Reptiles have a good reputation for breeding reptiles.

Pros

• It allows you to choose the gender that you want
• Instant shipping
• There is a wide range of payment methods available.

Cons

• Some breeders may not offer a return policy
• It is not possible to do a live inspection before making a purchase.

Classified Ads/Facebook Groups

Several Facebook groups are selling armadillo lizards. For example:

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/511132345665227

However, availability and international shipping are major issues you can face from buying from them due to the sanctions imposed.

Pros

• You can make gender preferences
• There is a wide range of payment methods that you can use
• Instant shipping

Cons

• Some may not have a return policy
• You may be scammed
• It is not possible to make a live inspection before purchase

Reptile Rescues

Armadillo lizards are under threat since their population is gradually diminishing. This has attracted the attention of organizations that are working to help flatten the curve. 

Some of the popular organizations are Cape Nature Conservation Services and Sanbi Organization.

These organizations help to create awareness and raise the issue at global forums. You can also get armadillo lizards from these organizations if you are lucky.

Are Armadillo Girdled Lizards Illegal?

Armadillo lizards are usually caught easily from the wild because they are slow-moving and tame. 

The constant capturing of these creatures has made them a vulnerable species. This is why exporting a wild-caught armadillo lizard from South Africa is illegal.

However, if you are serious about keeping this lizard, you should buy a captive-bred armadillo lizard from a private breeder.

Conclusion

Armadillo lizards are cute and fascinating reptiles with unique abilities, making them a unique pet to keep at home. 

However, Armadillo lizards are expensive because they are rare and don’t reproduce in great numbers.