Lizards in Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lizards in Canada are represented by five species, as only a few lizard species have been able to adapt to the diverse, generally colder Canadian climate. All species are confined to the southernmost parts of the country. At higher latitudes, the harsh conditions, especially in winter, make it impossible for these cold-blooded animals to survive.
There are exactly five species of lizards occurring in Canada:
- The Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus) occurs in southern Ontario in the Great Lakes region.
- There is an isolated population of the Northern Prairie Skink (Eumeces septentrionalis septentrionalis) in south-western Manitoba.
- The Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus skiltonianus, "Skilton's Skink") is found in southern British Columbia.
- The Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea principis, "Northwestern Alligator Lizard") is also found in southern British Columbia.
- The Short-horned Lizard occurs in B.C.'s Columbia River basin as Phrynosoma douglassi; and in isolated locations in south-eastern Alberta and southern Saskatchewan as Phrynosoma hernandesi hernandesi.
The taxonomy of the Short-horned Lizard is unclear. Recent research suggests that it is two distinct species, as indicated by the scientific names given above (thus granting Canada six species of lizards). However, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has reported the P. douglasii as "extirpated" in British Columbia as of 1992. Since the species seems to thrive in the neighbouring U.S. regions of the Columbia River basin, it seems likely that it continues to inhabit small areas of British Columbia.
