Desert Spiny Lizard

I think this is a female since she does not appear to have the bright blue markings usually found on the males. So far, this is the best shot I've been able to get of her. She is very elusive. I think she's a cute almost dinosaur looking lizard.

Order Squamata, Suborder Sauria, Family Iguanidae, Phrynosomatinae (subfamily), Sceloporus magister

DESCRIPTION: A large (up to 142 mm or 5.6 " from snout to vent), stocky lizard with large, pointed, keeled, overlapping scales. Base coloration is gray, tan, or brown. Some specimens have dark crossbars or dark, paired blotches on the back. Yellow or orange scales are sporadically scattered on the sides of the body. A black wedge shape marks each shoulder. Males have two large, bright, blue-green patches on the belly and a blue-green patch on the throat. Belly and throat patches are faint or absent in females. In southern Arizona males often have a large purple patch or rows of purple spots on the back. Its large, black, wedge-shaped shoulder markings distinguish this lizard from many of Arizona's other Sceloporus. Its lack of bars on the forelimbs distinguish it from Clark's Spiny Lizard. The similar Yarrow's Spiny Lizard has a complete collar.

DISTRIBUTION: It ranges across all of southern and western Arizona extending into the desertscrubs of the northeastern plateau region. It is found at elevations ranging from near sea level along the Colorado River to about about 5,000'.

HABITAT: The Desert Spiny Lizard is found in a variety of biotic communities including all four of Arizona's desertscrubs, Semidesert Grassland, Interior Chaparral, and woodlands. Usually encountered on lower slopes, bajadas, plains, and low valleys. Often seen in the branches of trees or in the vicinity of ground cover such as wood piles, rock piles, and packrat nests.

BEHAVIOR: This diurnal lizard basks on the branches of trees, on rocks, or on other sunlit perches. When encountered it is often heard before it is seen as it scratches and claws the bark en route to the opposite side of the trunk or branch. It also flees into rock crevices, burrows, or the inner tangles of pack rat nests when threatened. It has a strong jaw and often bites when captured. It hibernates during the cold months of winter and late fall.

DIET: This lizard feeds on a variety of insects including ants, beetles, and caterpillars. It also feeds on spiders, centipedes, small lizards, and some plant material.

REPRODUCTION: The Desert Spiny Lizard is often encountered in male-female pairs. Mating takes place in spring and summer and one or two clutches of eggs are laid in spring and summer. Clutch size ranges from 2 to 12 eggs. Hatchlings begin to emerge in May.

Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Cropped, © and Framed.
Shot through glass patio door on eastern shaded side in afternoon.

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