Plateau fence lizard
| Plateau fence lizard | |
|---|---|
| File:Zion's Lizard (5044539680).jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. tristichus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus tristichus Cope, 1875
| |
.jpg){kind=link}
The plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) is a species of spiny lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.[1]
Description
At up to 80 millimetres (3.1 in) from snout to vent,[2] the plateau fence lizard is a grayish, brownish, or greenish lizard. The upper side of its body has keeled scales and there is a series of narrow dark brown cross-bands on both sides of the midline. An elongated metallic blue patch can be found on each side of the belly and each side of the throat.[3] Males are typically smaller than females, as with many squamates, with males and females in Montezuma County, Colorado measuring 63 mm (2.5 in) and 67 mm (2.6 in), respectively.[3]
Distribution
The plateau fence lizard is generally found in central Arizona, southwestern Utah, western Colorado, and the San Luis Valley.[3] It can also be found in parts of New Mexico and Wyoming.[4]
Habitat
The plateau fence lizard generally dwells in rocky and wooded areas,[2] making use of canyon walls, boulder-strewn hillsides, fallen tree trunks, and other debris and vantage points.[3]
Ecology
The plateau fence lizard is inactive during cold periods and the hottest part of the day in summer.[4] The lizard consumes mainly insects, spiders, and other arthropods.[4]
References
- ↑ "Plateau Fence Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sceloporus tristichus". New Mexico Herpetological Society. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mathies, Tom; Ehrenberger, Joseph (January 20, 2014). "Plateau Fence Lizard". Colorado Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Sceloporus tristichus". NatureServe. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
External links
- File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to Sceloporus tristichus at Wikimedia Commons
