Post by Ceratodromeus on May 26, 2015 7:05:32 GMT 5
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Lacertilia
Infraorder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Callisaurus
Species: C. draconoides
Description:Standard coloration of this lizard is a dull brown/ grey, with some light colored speckling. During the mating season, males take on hues of orange, yellow, and blue. True to their common name, the tail of C. dranconoides has black and white barring.The species is sexually dimorphic -- with the males attaining larger sizes quicker -- Females range from 63-87mm(2.4-3.4in ) in SVL, while males range 67-99mm(2.7-3.8in).{1}Body mass ranges from 6-14g, with most healthy adults falling in the 5-7g range.
Geographic range: This lizard is endemic to the south western United States, and ranges down into Mexico.
Dietary habits: The diet of this desert iguanid consists primarily of small invertebrates and vegetation. Spiders, mantids, Adult ant lions,and floral plant matter all figure highly in this lizards diet, though small lizards have been known to be taken on occasion{1}
Defensive Behaviors: Because of their small size, these lizards fall prey to numerous predators( sympatric leopard lizards, collared lizards, corvids, raptorial birds, etc.). They are very "flighty" lizards, often darting into brush, burrows, or crevices at the first hint of trouble. The zebra tailed lizard is known to run bipedally when fleeing.{2}When presented with a threat, these lizards also wag their contrastingly colored tail to throw the perceived predator off, allowing it a distraction so it can sprint away{4}; Studies conducted In California’s Sonoran Desert gave resulting sprint speeds averaging roughly 7.2 m per second (16.1 miles per hour) with a maximum of 9.7 mps (21.7 mph){3}
Reproduction: Mating occurs From April to May, with eggs being laid between June and August. A clutch size varies from 2-6 eggs, depending on the size of the female. When The young first hatch, they measure ~ 26-32mm(1-1.2in) SVL. They grow rapidly, with most individuals reaching adult size in their first year of life.{1}
References:
{1}Pianka, Eric R., and William S. Parker. "Ecology of the iguanid lizard Callisaurus draconoides." Copeia (1972): 493-508.
{2}Irschick, Duncan J., and Bruce C. Jayne. "A field study of the effects of incline on the escape locomotion of a bipedal lizard, Callisaurus draconoides." Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 72.1 (1999): 44-56.
{3}Belkin, D. A. 1961. The running speeds of the lizards Dipsosaurus dorsalis and Callisaurus draconoides. Copeia 1961:223.
{4}Hasson, Oren, Richard Hibbard, and Gerardo Ceballos. "The pursuit deterrent function of tail-wagging in the zebra-tailed lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)." Canadian Journal of Zoology 67.5 (1989): 1203-1209.