The genus Cordylus includes a wide variety of species of small to medium spiny lizards from Africa, collectively called girdle-tailed lizards or girdled lizards. All are diurnal and ovoviviparous. Most species are rupicolous (rock-dwelling), while a few species are arboreal or live in burrows. They defend themselves with osteoderms and by quickly retreating into rock crevices or burrows. Many species live in groups, and males defend territories.
Lawrence's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
The McLachlan's girdled lizard or McLachlan's spiny-tailed lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family endemic to South Africa.
Lang's crag lizard, also known commonly as Lang's girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to Southern Africa.
The spiny crag lizard or prickly girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae.
The Cape flat lizard or Namaqua flat lizard is a lizard in the Cordylidae family found in Namibia and South Africa.
The dwarf flat lizard or lesser flat lizard is a lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is found in Southern Africa.
The orange-throated flat lizard is a species of lizard in the Cordylidae family.
An isolated population of the Rhodesian girdled lizard from granite outcrops in montane grassland of northern Malawi was recently redescribed as Cordylus nyikae. Unlike the Rhodesian girdled lizard, the head shields of this species are very rugose, the nostrils are pierced in the lower posterior corner of the nasal scales, and the dorsals do not have a serrated posterior margin. The dorsal coloration is dark brown to gray-brown with lighter spots. The tail and upper lips are light brown. The belly is buff. Its common name is Nyika girdled lizard.
The Cape Cliff Lizard is a lizard species endemic to the Cape Fold Belt of southern South Africa.
Van Dam's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.
Pseudocordylus melanotus, also known as the common crag lizard or Highveld crag lizard, is a species of lizard found in Eswatini, Lesotho, and South Africa. Pseudocordylus subviridis is considered a distinct species by the Reptile Database, but a subspecies of Pseudocordylus melanotus by IUCN.
The Rooiberg girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in South Africa.
The western dwarf girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in South Africa.
Oelofsen's girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in South Africa.
Peers's girdled lizard or Peers's Nama lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in South Africa.
The Herero girdled lizard is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in Namibia.
Platysaurus attenboroughi is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small, spiny lizard found in [[Namibia] and South Africa].
Pseudocordylus transvaalensis is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small lizard found in South Africa.
Smaug barbertonensis is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. It is a small lizard found in eastern South Africa and Eswatini.
