Cordylidae is a family of small- to medium-sized lizards that occur in southern and eastern Africa.

[1][2] Cordylidae is closely related to the family Gerrhosauridae, occurring in Africa and Madagascar.

These two scientific families of lizards, known as Cordyliformes or Cordyloidea, are sometimes combined into a larger concept of Cordylidae.

They are terrestrial, mostly inhabiting crevices in rocky terrain, although at least one species digs burrows and another lives under exfoliating bark on trees.

Many species have rings of spines on the tail, that aid in wedging the animal into sheltering crevices, and also in dissuading predators.