Smaug breyeri explained

Smaug breyeri, also known commonly as the Waterberg dragon lizard or the Waterberg girdled lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is endemic to South Africa.

Etymology

The specific name, breyeri, is in honor of Dutch naturalist Hermann Gottfried Breyer.^[1]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of S. breyeri is rocky areas of savanna, at altitudes of 700–.

Description

Adults of S. breyeri usually have a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 11–, but may grow as large as 14.5cm (05.7inches) SVL.

Reproduction

S. breyeri is viviparous. Two to four young are born in summer. Compared to adults, the neonates are quite large, each measuring about 11cm (04inches) in total length (including tail).^[2]

Further reading

• FitzSimons VF (1943). The Lizards of South Africa. Transvaal Museum Memoir No. 1. Pretoria: Transvaal Museum. xvi + 528 pp. (Cordylus warreni breyeri, new combination).
• Stanley EL, Bauer AM, Jackman TR, Branch WR, Mouton PLFN (2011). "Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58 (1): 53–70. (Smaug breyeri, new combination).
• Van Dam GPF (1921). "Descriptions of new species of Zonurus, and notes on the species of Zonurus occurring in the Transvaal". Annals of the Transvaal Museum 7 (4): 239–243. (Zonurus breyeri, new species).

Notes and References

1. [species:Bo Beolens|Beolens, Bo]
2. [William Roy Branch|Branch, Bill]