Crevice spiny lizard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Crevice spiny lizard
Sceloporus poinsettii
Scientific classification

The crevice spiny lizard (scientific name: Sceloporus poinsettii) is a type of small lizard. It belongs to a family of lizards called Phrynosomatidae. These lizards are known for their spiny scales.

Why is it called that?

The second part of the lizard's scientific name, poinsettii, honors an American man named Joel Roberts Poinsett. He was a doctor, a plant expert, and a politician.

Where do they live?

Crevice spiny lizards live in the United States and Mexico. In the U.S., you can find them in parts of Texas and New Mexico. These areas include the Chihuahua Desert and the Edwards Plateau.

In Mexico, they live in states along the border. This includes Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo Leon. They also live further south in Durango and parts of Zacatecas. Sometimes, they are found in San Luis Potosi and northern Jalisco.

What do they look like?

These lizards are usually grey. Some might even look reddish-brown. They have a special black and white band around their neck. Their belly is usually light grey.

Male lizards often have cool blue patches on their bellies. Their tail usually has black stripes. Their scales feel very spiny, which helps them blend in. They can grow to be about 11.8 centimeters (4.6 inches) long from their snout to their vent. Their total length, including the tail, can reach about 31.1 centimeters (12.2 inches).

How do they act?

A crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii) hiding in its natural home in Texas, USA.

Crevice spiny lizards are quite shy. If you get too close, they will quickly run up a rock or into a crack. They like dry places, especially those with limestone rocks. These rocks have lots of holes and cracks where the lizards can hide easily.

What do they eat?

Crevice spiny lizards are insectivores. This means they mostly eat insects. They enjoy a variety of spiders, beetles, and other bugs. Sometimes, they will also munch on soft plants.

How do they have babies?

Sceloporus poinsettii is one of the lizard species that are ovoviviparous. This means the mother carries the eggs inside her body. The eggs hatch inside, and then live young are born. They don't lay eggs in a nest. Breeding happens in the spring. A group of up to 11 baby lizards are born in the middle of summer.

Different types of Crevice Spiny Lizards

There are five recognized types, or subspecies, of the crevice spiny lizard:

• Sceloporus poinsettii amydrus Webb, 2006
• Sceloporus poinsettii axtelli Webb, 2006
• Sceloporus poinsettii macrolepis H.M. Smith & Chrapliwy, 1958
• Sceloporus poinsettii poinsettii Baird & Girard, 1852
• Sceloporus poinsettii polylepis H.M. Smith & Chrapliwy, 1958