The shield-tailed agama (Xenagama taylori), also known commonly as the dwarf shield-tailed agama, Taylor's strange agama, and the turnip-tailed agama, is a species of lizard in the family Agamidae. The species is endemic to the Horn of Africa.
The specific name, taylori, is in honor of British army officer Captain R. H. R. Taylor.
Adults of X. taylori are less than 10 cm (4 inches) in total length (including tail), and hatchlings are just over a centimeter (3/8 inch) and weigh only 3 grams (0.11 ounce).
X. taylori is found in eastern Ethiopia and northwestern Somalia.
X. taylori lives on arid, flat land, sometimes on hilly landscapes, sandy but also hard grounds, where it digs deep galleries. It survives at 45 to 50 °C (113 to 122 °F) maximum temperature, but average ranges between 25 and 35 °C (77 and 95 °F) in very dry environments, with the exception of strong spring storms and high humidity.
Like most other Xenagama species, X. taylori will shelter within self-made burrows and use the whorl-like, heavily built tail to close the burrow to evade predators.
Being a small lizard, X. taylori is essentially insectivorous, but has been seen to eat grasses, fruits, and berries.
X. taylori is oviparous.
