Armadillo lizard. Armadillo lizard, (species Cordylus cataphractus), a southern African member of the family Cordylidae, known for its defensive body posture. This lizard is about 25 cm (10 inches) long. When danger threatens, it forms a ball by rolling on its back and taking its tail in its mouth.
A sign posted outside Ercilla declares this land âMapuche territoryâ of the âTemucuicui Autonomous Community.â (Nick Miroff/The Washington Post) 1  Another sign outside the town of Ercilla reads ârecovered territory.â After the former owners left their home, a Mapuche family moved in.
Jurchens (also Juchen, JÃ¼rched), tribes of Tungus origin that from ancient times inhabited the eastern part of Northeast China (Manchuria) and the Primorâe. Until the tenth century, the Jurchens were independent and maintained ties with China and Korea. In the tenth and 11th centuries they were dependent on the Khitans. In the early 12th century the various Jurchen tribes were united by Akuta, who in 1114 led an uprising against the Khitans that resulted in the formation of the independent Chin state (1115â1234), which was eventually destroyed by the Mongol conquerors.