Girdled and Plated Lizards: Cordylidae

According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), one species of plated lizard is Extinct, which means that it is no longer in existence. Only two specimens of this lizard, called the Eastwood's long-tailed seps, are known. In addition, five species of plated and girdled lizards are Vulnerable, which means that they face a high risk of extinction in the wild, and five species are Near Threatened, which means that they are likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future. Many of them live in tiny areas that are now being developed for other uses. A number of the lizards are also very beautiful, which has made them quite desirable for the pet trade.