Urosaurus ornatus schmidti
Big Bend Tree Lizard


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Range:
Other Names: Tree Lizard
Description: A small (up to 59 mm or 2.3" from snout to vent), slim, gray, gray-brown, or tan lizard with an ornate pattern of thin, dark lines on top of the head. Body markings are variable but usually consist of black or dark gray-brown, irregularly shaped blotches. Some specimens have lengthwise striations and some are plain. On the back are two parallel, lengthwise strips of enlarged, keeled scales separated at the mid-dorsum by a strip of small granular scales. The remainder of the dorsal scales are small and granular. The scales on the tail and limbs are enlarged and keeled. The scales on the belly are smooth and flat. A fold of skin runs along each lower side of the body. Males have two large, blue patches on the belly and a blue, blue-green, green, yellow, or orange throat. In females belly patches are lacking and the throat is yellow, yellow-green, or orange.
Similar Species: Eastern Side-blotched Lizards have a blue-back blotch behind each forelimb. Range is the easiest way to tell the difference between the other recognized subspecies.
Venom: None
Habitat: It is usually encountered in areas with plenty of features on which to climb such as wooded riparian corridors and boulder-strewn slopes
Behavior: This diurnal lizard is an excellent climber and it is commonly seen basking and foraging on urban walls, fences, and building exteriors. In natural settings it climbs and basks on logs, boulders, and trees. Males are highly territorial. The territorial display includes "push-ups" and extending the brightly colored throat.
Hibernation: It hibernates during the cold months of late fall and early winter.
Reproduction: 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 16 eggs.
Diet: A variety of insects including aphids, beetles, flies, ants, bees, wasps, termites, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and crickets make up the diet of this lizard. It also feeds on a variety of spiders.
Adapted from account on reptilesofaz.org
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