Leopard Lizard
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The Long-nosed leopard Lizard is a relatively large lizard with a large head, long nose, and a long round tail that is bigger than its body. "The Blunt-nosed Leopard" has a triangular shape head and slightly different appearance compared to the "Long-nosed Leopard Lizard".
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[edit] Description
The lizard is white, cream, or gray with irregular brown or dark gray spots along its body and head. Sometimes they have dark bars across their back. The tail also has dark bars across it. Juveniles have more highly contrasted markings compared to adults, often with rusty coloring on the back or bright red spots, and yellow on the thighs and under the tail.
The male and female are different in appearance. The female is about 5.8 inches and the male is smaller, measuring about 4.8 inches. Females develop reddish orange spots and bars on the sides and underneath the tail when gravid. Males develop pink or rusty wash on the throat, chest, and sometimes the body, during the breeding season.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
The "Long-nosed leopard Lizard" ranges from the Western part of the United States from Oregon to Idaho in the north, south to northern Mexico in Baja California, Sonora, Coahuila, and Zacatecas. In San Diego County, it occurs east of the Peninsula Ranges within the Lower Colorado Desert. They are found in desert flats and lower foothills with little vegetation.
The "Long-nosed Leopard Lizard" Lizard is often seen on small rocks along the roadside. When in danger, it shows "freeze" behavior which means it runs underneath a bush, flattens its body against the ground, and is motionless. If the case is extreme enough, such as capture, it is capable of tail separation.
[edit] Feeding habits
The "Long-nosed Leopard Lizard" preys on small lizards, in addition to insects and sometimes rodents, like all members of the family. This lizard also is cannibalistic, eating smaller Leopard Lizards when the opportunity arises. Its long nose usually makes its jaw quicker and better for catching vertebrate prey. This species is an ambush predator, It hides in the shadows underneath a bush or small tree waiting for its prey to come within range of capturation. It then pounces, attacking the surprised animal. Some predators of "Long-nosed Leopard Lizards" include a number of birds, snakes, coyotes, badgers, the Kit fox and more.
"Leopard lizards" travel long distances to find vertebrate prey, because of their diet. They rely on camouflage to capture their prey. They live in regions with low visibility, with many rocks and bushes.
[edit] Reproduction
They breed from May to June. Eggs are laid in June and July, and hatch in July and August.
The "Leopard Lizard" is endangered. It is no longer present throughout most of its former range as the habitat has been significantly altered by farming, urban development, overgrazing, oil wells, mining, reservoirs, and off-road vehicle use. This habitat alteration continues.
