Sceloporus merriami annulatus
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iBig Bend Canyon Lizard | ||||||||||||||||||
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Sceloporus merriami annulatus Smith, 1937 |
The Big Bend Canyon Lizard (Sceloporus merriami annulatus) is a subspecies of the Canyon Lizard native to a fairly narrow range from the Big Bend region of the US state of Texas, to eastern Coahuila in Mexico. The first specimen was collected by Edward Harrison Taylor and J.S. Wright in 1931 in the Chisos Mountains of Brewster County, Texas.
[edit] Description
The Big Bend Canyon Lizard is a medium sized lizard, growing from 4.5 to 6.25 inches in length. Their coloration varies with their choice of habitat, varying from grey to reddish, with two rows of dark spots down each side of the back and a dark line on the shoulder region. They have a fairly large head for their body size, and a dewlap which is larger in males than females. Males also have distinct blue patches on either side of their stomach.
[edit] Behavior
All Canyon Lizards are diurnal and insectivorous. Their primary choice of habitat is rocky, unvegetated canyon lands with numerous crevices to hide in, and ledges to bask on. They are oviparous.
[edit] References
- Species Sceloporus merrami at the EMBL Reptile Database
- Herps of Texas: Sceloporus merrami
- An Annotated List of the Species-Group Names Applied to the Lizard Genus Sceloporus - PDF