It lives in rock outcrops in grasslands and dry, wooded mountain slopes.

Females and juveniles are dark brown above with small cream spots scattered on the neck and back.

The bellies and sides are gray with orange and black mottles on the lower jaws and throat.

Males are distinguished from the closely related regal girdled lizard (Smaug regius) by the black chin and throat (yellow chin, mottled throat in S. regius) and the presence of a brown patch in front of the cloaca on the belly.

Both species were once considered to be subspecies of the Warren's girdled lizard (Smaug warreni).