| canyon lizard | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. merriami |
| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus merriami Stejneger, 1904 |
|
The canyon lizard (Sceloporus merriami) is a species of phrynosomatid lizard native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The epithet merriami is in honor of American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam.[1]
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It is found in the United States in the state of Texas, and it is found in Mexico in the states of Coahuila, Durango, and Chihuahua.
Adults may reach 58 mm (2¼ inches) snout to vent length (SVL). Including the tail, they may reach 162 mm (6⅜ inches) in total length. The dorsal scales are small, and the lateral scales are granular.[1]
Dorsally the canyon lizard is gray, tan, or reddish brown, matching the rocks on which it lives. There are four rows of dark spots on the back, and a vertical black line in front of the front leg. Males have blue and black lines on the throat.[2]
There are seven recognized subspecies of S. merriami: