Spiny weapontail

The spiny weapontail (Hoplocercus spinosus) is a species of lizard belonging to the monotypic genus Hoplocercus in the family Hoplocercidae. The species is found in the Cerrado and adjacent Cerrado–Amazon mosaics in Brazil and Bolivia.

Taxonomy
H. spinosus is quite distantly related to the other members of Hoplocercidae, as it is believed to have diverged from these about 35 million years ago.

Description
The spiny weapontail has a total length (including tail) of about 12-15 cm. As suggested by its name, it has a short, highly spiny tail (it is superficially similar to Uromastyx, Cachryx and the smaller species in Ctenosaura).

Behavior
When disturbed, H. spinosus retreats to its burrow with its tail orientated towards the entrance. It is nocturnal.

Diet
H. spinosus preys upon arthropods.

Reproduction
H. spinosus is oviparous.