For all the lizard jokes, I’ve always held Cardassians were more crocodilian. Among other things, it fits with their initial somewhat Egyptian-inspired motifs. Also fits with the RPG sourcebook as someone else noted, which means I’m not alone in that impression. I mention that for one reason though: a FIRM BELIEF that they have osteoderms as part of scutes, not technically scales. Extremely tough dermal armor.
I see them as a blend of crocodilian and monitors, but scutes for SURE. I mean, yeah, we joke about lizards and scales, etc, but this post is right on.
