Plateau fence lizard
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Sceloporus
Species:
S. tristichus
Binomial name
Sceloporus tristichus
Cope, 1875

The plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) is a species of spiny lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.[1]

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, as with many squamates, with males and females in Montezuma County, Colorado 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

  1. ↑ "Plateau Fence Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus)". iNaturalist. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Sceloporus tristichus". New Mexico Herpetological Society. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Mathies, Tom; Ehrenberger, Joseph (January 20, 2014). "Plateau Fence Lizard". Colorado Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Sceloporus tristichus". NatureServe. July 2, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
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