Common Side-Blotched Lizard
The side-blotched lizard is a small lizard in the same suborder as iguanas.
About This Species
The common side-blotched lizard demonstrates a unique form of polymorphism where there are three different male morphs who use different mating behavior and compete against each other rock-paper-scissors style.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Upper side of uniform color or with numerous small light and dark dots; scales along middle of back of uniform size; dark blotch on each side of chest (a large blue-black streak is present in some males); throat often with blue with orange rim (colors less intense in late summer); at least one scale on top of head and behind eyes obviously larger than scales on middle of back; adult snout-vent length usually about 4.5–5.2 cm (1.8-2.0 inches); a large percentage of adults have broken or regenerated tails.
Mature Male
Two enlarged scales on underside of base of tail just behind vent; underside of base of tail with two bulges (from hemipenes); upper side with light spots and turquoise or blue dots.
Mature Female
Upper side with dark spots.
Range
Throughout much of lowland western Colorado. Common and most widespread in west-central Colorado, locally common elsewhere.
Habitat
Washes, arroyos, boulder-strewn ravines, rocky canyon slopes, bedrock exposures, rimrock outcroppings, rocky cliff bases, and flat, shrubby areas in canyon bottoms where soils are soft and deep; mainly in the bottoms or mouths of canyons in areas of open piñon-juniper woodland, semidesert shrubland, or patchy streamside vegetation, usually where there is plenty of bare ground. When disturbed, often seeks cover in crevices or under plants or rocks. Wintering sites include burrows, deep crevices, or other underground cavities.
Reproduction
Females produce one or more clutches of eggs each year, from mid-April through July. Most hatchlings appear in late July and August.