Zoutpansberg girdled lizard (''Smaug depressus'') is a species of the genus ''

Smaug Smaug () is a dragon and the main antagonist in J. R. R. Tolkien's 1937 novel ''The Hobbit'', his treasure and the mountain he lives in being the goal of the quest. Powerful and fearsome, he invaded the Dwarf kingdom of Erebor 150 years prior ...

''.The Reptile Database. http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Smaug&species=depressus&search_param=( This species is only found on and around the

Soutpansberg The Soutpansberg, (formerly ''Zoutpansberg'') meaning "Salt Pan Mountain" in Afrikaans, is a Mountain range, range of mountains in far northern South Africa. It is located in Vhembe District Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo. It is named for ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

and was before considered a subspecies of

Warren's girdled lizard Warren's girdled lizard (''Smaug warreni'') is a species of relatively large, flattened lizard in the family Cordylidae. The species is native to Southern Africa. Etymology The specific name, ''warreni'', is in honour of British zoologist Ernest ...

. Zoutpansberg girdled lizard's grow to a length up to 16 centimeters.

Reproduction

To prevent females of getting away at the first approach, the male approaches the female during mating season very cautiously. He nods his head constantly to make its peaceful intentions cognizable. After mating it takes six months before two to five young are born.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q18603897 Smaug (genus) Taxa named by Vivian Frederick Maynard FitzSimons Lizards of Africa Reptiles of South Africa Reptiles described in 1930