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Home > Lizards > Sungazer Lizard

Sungazer Lizard

Sungazer lizards are the largest lizards in the family Cordylidae endemic to South Africa. They derive their name sungazer from their habit of sitting with their nose up towards the sun. They are diurnal.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Squamata
    Family Cordylidae
    Genus Smaug
    Scientific Name Smaug giganteus


    Other Names Giant Girdled Lizard, Giant Dragon Lizard, Giant Zonure
    Length Up to 35-40cm
    Color Brown upper surface while the underneath is yellow; straw or yellow on the sides of the body
    Distribution South Africa
    Habitat Arid grasslands, semi-deserts
    Diet Mainly insects, sometimes mice
    Hibernation Fact Hibernates during winter in their burrows
    Predators Jackals, badgers, birds of prey, snakes
    Breeding Season Spring, summer, middle of autumn
    Mode of Reproduction Ovoviviparous (produces young ones by means of eggs hatched inside the body of the parent)
    Litter Size 1 or2
    Gestation Period Up to 2 years
    Reproductive Age 4 to 5 years of age
    Average Lifespan Up to 25 years
    IUCN Conservation Status Vulnerable

    Sungazer Lizard Pictures Gallery

    Published on October 23rd 2016 by under Lizards. Article was last reviewed on 7th June 2019.

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