Presidio canyon lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
S. m. longipunctatus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus Olson, 1973
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The Presidio canyon lizard (scientific name: Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus) is a special type of canyon lizard. It lives only in certain parts of southwestern Texas in the United States and northeastern Mexico. Scientists are not sure if it mixes with other types of canyon lizards in the same area, but it probably does.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name longipunctatus comes from Latin words.
- Longus means "long".
- Punctum means "spot".
- The ending -atus means "having" or "pertaining to".
So, longipunctatus means "having long spots". This name describes the long, dark spots on the lizard's back. These spots help scientists tell this lizard apart from others.
Where Does It Live?
The Presidio canyon lizard lives in a small area. This area is called the Big Bend region of Texas. It also lives in nearby states in northern Mexico. The first official example of this lizard was found on May 31, 1971. It was collected by a scientist named R. Earl Olson in Presidio County, Texas.
What Does It Look Like?
The Presidio canyon lizard is a medium-sized lizard. It can grow to be about 4.5 to 6.25 inches (11.5–16 cm) long. This measurement includes its body and tail.
Its color can change to match the soil where it lives. It might be gray or brown. It has two rows of dark, comma-shaped spots down each side of its back. There is also a dark line on its shoulder.
This lizard has a head that looks quite big compared to its body. It also has a flap of skin under its throat called a dewlap. This dewlap is bigger on male lizards than on females. The underside of the lizard has dark lines. These lines are especially noticeable under its neck and tail. Male lizards also have bright blue patches on each side of their belly.
How Does It Behave?
All canyon lizards are active during the day. They are also insect-eaters. This means they mostly eat bugs. They love to live in rocky canyon lands. These areas often have many cracks and crevices to hide in. They also have ledges where the lizards can warm up in the sun.
Reproduction
Presidio canyon lizards are egg-laying animals. This means the female lizard lays eggs. The baby lizards then hatch from these eggs.
