Granite spiny lizard
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Genus
SPECIES
Sceloporus orcutti

The granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.

Animal name origin

The epithet, orcutti, honors American naturalist Charles Russell Orcutt (1864–1929), who collected the type specimen in San Diego County, California.

Appearance

The granite spiny lizard is 7.6–10.8 cm (3.0–4.3 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL). Maximum total length including the tail is 28.9 cm (11.4 in). Its dorsal scales are strongly keeled and pointed on its body and tail. It has a wide purple mid-dorsal stripe. The males of the species have yellow-green and blue-centered scales on the body; juveniles and females have distinct yellow-tan transverse bands on their body and tail. Additionally, the male has deep-blue ventral patches on its chest and throat and femoral pores.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

S. orcutti is native to southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico.

Habits and Lifestyle

The granite spiny lizard is a colorful species that can be observed perched atop boulders from considerable distance. This species is primarily associated with rocky hillsides and outcrops.

Lifestyle

Mating Habits

S. orcutti is oviparous.

References

1. Granite spiny lizard Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Granite_spiny_lizard
2. Granite spiny lizard on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/64134/12748114

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