Biology:Plateau fence lizard
| Plateau fence lizard | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. tristichus
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| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus tristichus Cope, 1875
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The plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) is a species of spiny lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.[1] Also known as the red-lipped plateau lizard, it is a synonym of Scleroporus undulatus erythrocheilus.
Description
At up to 80 millimetres (3.1 in) from snout to vent,[2] the plateau fence lizard is a grayish, brownish, or greenish lizard. The upper side of its body has keeled scales and there is a series of narrow dark brown cross-bands on both sides of the midline. An elongated metallic blue patch can be found on each side of the belly and each side of the throat.[3]
Males are typically smaller than females with males and females in Montezuma County measuring 63 mm (2.5 in) and 67 mm (2.6 in), respectively.[3]
Distribution
The plateau fence lizard is generally found in central Arizona, southwestern Utah, western Colorado, and the San Luis Valley.[3] It can also be found in parts of New Mexico and Wyoming.[4]
Habitat
The plateau fence lizard generally dwells in rocky and wooded areas,[2] making use of canyon walls, boulder-strewn hillsides, fallen tree trunks, and other debris and vantage points.[3]
Ecology
The plateau fence lizard is inactive during cold periods and the hottest part of the day in summer.[4]
The lizard consumes mainly insects, spiders, and other arthropods.[4]
References
- ↑ "Plateau Fence Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus)". https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/116143-Sceloporus-tristichus.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sceloporus tristichus". http://www.nmherpsociety.org/reptiles/lizards/sceloporustristichus/index.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Mathies, Tom; Ehrenberger, Joseph (2014-01-20). "Plateau Fence Lizard". Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. http://www.coparc.org/plateau-fence-lizard.html.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Sceloporus tristichus". 2021-07-02. https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.768725/Sceloporus_tristichus.
External links
Wikidata ☰ Q11838797 entry
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