California rock lizards - Petrosaurus
Baja blue rock lizard
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Petrosaurus
Boulenger, 1885[1]
Species

See text

The California rock lizards are a genus (Petrosaurus) of New World lizards in the family Phrynosomatidae.[2]

Geographic range

They are endemic to southern California, United States, and Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico.[3]

Habitat

This lizard species lives almost exclusively on rock outcrops, boulder piles, and canyon walls, where it shelters under rocks. Their habitat consists of arid and semiarid foothills and canyons along the western margin of the Colorado Desert.[4]

Reproduction

The courtship begins shortly after emergence in early spring. The eggs are laid around June and July.

Predators

The few predators that could pursue this lizard are collared lizards and avian predators, such as hawks, ravens, and roadrunners.

Species

The genus Petrosaurus contains four species.

ImageScientific NameCommon NameDistribution
Petrosaurus mearnsi (Stejneger, 1894)banded rock lizardsouthern California, United States, and Baja California, Mexico
Petrosaurus repens (Van Denburgh, 1895)Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico
Petrosaurus slevini (Van Denburgh, 1922)banded rock lizardBaja California, Mexico
Petrosaurus thalassinus (Cope, 1863)Baja blue rock lizard[5]Baja California Sur, Mexico

References

  1. Dahms Tierleben. www.dahmstierleben.de.
  2. Smith, H.M. and E.D. Brodie, Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America, A Guide to Field Identification. Golden Press. New York. pp. 110-111.
  3. Stejneger, Leonhard and Thomas Barbour. 1917. A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. pp. 50-52.
  4. "Camping & Outdoor Gear Reviews, Tips & Guides - Outdoor with J". 3 September 2018.
  5. The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
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