Sagebrush lizard - Video Learning - WizScience.com
Like 2 Dislike 0 Published on 29 Sep 2015
The "sagebrush lizard" is a common species of phrynosomatid lizard found at mid to high altitudes in the western United States of America. It belongs to the genus "Sceloporus" in the Phrynosomatidae family of reptiles. Named after the sagebrush plants near which it is commonly found, the sagebrush lizard has keeled and spiny scales running along its dorsal surface.
It is similar to the western fence lizard, another "Sceloporus" species found in the western US. The sagebrush lizard can be distinguished from the western fence lizard in that the former is on average smaller and has finer scales. The keeled dorsal scales are typically gray or tan, but can be a variety of colors. The main color is broken by a lighter gray or tan stripe running down the center of the back and two light stripes, one on either side of the lizard . This lizard will sometimes have orange markings on its sides.
Three regional variations of the sagebrush lizard are recognized: the southern sagebrush lizard lives in Southern California, and the western and northern variations are found in many western states, including Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, Washington, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.
The sagebrush lizard is usually 4.7-8.9 cm in length when fully grown. Hatchlings are about 25 mm from snout to vent in length. The lizard looks very similar to the western fence lizard, but differs in that it is typically smaller and has an increased number of scales. In appearance, the lizards are grey, brown or olive, with hints of blue or green on the dorsal surface during the light phase, and they often have irregular banding patterns on the body and tail. They also often display a black bar on the shoulder, and a light lateral and dorsolateral line on both sides. The scales on the rear portion of the thigh are small and granular, while the armpit and lateral surface of the body is often rust-colored. Females have white or yellow bellies, and males have distinctive blue patches on the abdomen and throat, although the throat patch can be absent. Males also have enlarged postanal scales, and two areas of swelling at the base of the tail. During the breeding season, males may develop orange breeding colors. Young lizards look similar to adults, but lack the dark blue markings.
Wiz Science™ is "the" learning channel for children and all ages.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY
Disclaimer: This video is for your information only. The author or publisher does not guarantee the accuracy of the content presented in this video. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Background Music:
"The Place Inside" by Silent Partner (royalty-free) from YouTube Audio Library.
This video uses material/images from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagebrush+lizard, which is released under Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ . This video is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ . To reuse/adapt the content in your own work, you must comply with the license terms.