A lizard that looks like a real life dragon!

[Pareeeee]

This is Smaug giganteus, also known as the Sungazer or Giant Girdled Lizard.

More info about this threatend South African species can be found here:
SmaugGiganteus.com | Finding Beauty in the Beasts (http://www.smauggiganteus.com)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb112/jimmythetramp/P1040585.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Sungazer_(S._giganteus)_in_typical_"sungazing"_stance.jpg -courtesy of wikipedia

http://sungazers.co.za/wp-content/themes/twentythirteen/images/slide2.jpg

I hadn't heard of these until today, and I may have just stumbled across a new favourite lizard. These are the coolest looking animals I've seen in a long time!

[Mikoh4792]

Such a majestic creature. Thanks for sharing

[themeyers]

beautiful animal thanks for sharing. now does anyone know if these are in the pet trade?

[Pareeeee]

beautiful animal thanks for sharing. now does anyone know if these are in the pet trade?

They apparently used to be common in the pet trade. I think they lost popularity because they are almost impossible to breed and also require more work than some. Nowadays they are very expensive obtain (think thousands of dollars).

This page describes the Sungazer in captivity. Captive Populations | SmaugGiganteus.com (http://www.smauggiganteus.com/?page_id=8)

[NewHerp293]

That thing is sooo gnarly looking!! Love it

[Jim Smith]

That is a very cool looking lizard!!! It looks so much like one would think a baby dragon would look. Thanks for sharing.

[Zoo Nanny]

Awesome looking lizard. It looks as if the animated movie about dragons recently based the look on them.

[ItsTheSebbe]

They look awesome! The only thing they are missing are the wings :P

[sharthun]

Awesome lizard!!

[smy_749]

A few of my friends have groups of these. They are very cool species, very 'gopher / meerkat ' like if you set them up properly. They will hang out at the entrance of their burrows basking and bolt back inside for safety. They are around 2-2500 a pair. 10 Came in this year, not sure from where as export from SA is illegal now. Some perished, and the ones that are with a few of my friends are doing well apparently.

The other real life dragon is Cordylus cataphractus, a cousin of this lizard, just smaller and cuter, and live birth as well. Smaug used to be Cordylus, and the cataphractus used to be ouroboros but they constantly switch it up and drive everyone nuts.

There is a zoo somewhere in the states with a large group on display as well, I believe san diego.

[millertime89]

Very cool species!

[pureshark1980]

Cool lizard. Great share!

[Akuma223]

A few of my friends have groups of these. They are very cool species, very 'gopher / meerkat ' like if you set them up properly. They will hang out at the entrance of their burrows basking and bolt back inside for safety. They are around 2-2500 a pair. 10 Came in this year, not sure from where as export from SA is illegal now. Some perished, and the ones that are with a few of my friends are doing well apparently.

The other real life dragon is Cordylus cataphractus, a cousin of this lizard, just smaller and cuter, and live birth as well. Smaug used to be Cordylus, and the cataphractus used to be ouroboros but they constantly switch it up and drive everyone nuts.

There is a zoo somewhere in the states with a large group on display as well, I believe san diego.
Are the smaller variety captive bred at all?

[smy_749]

Yes, 1-2 live babys per female per year if you are lucky. Still borns and years without babies are common though.

[shaunyboy]

that's the coolest looking lizard ive ever seen mate

thanks for sharing


cheers shaun