Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
These lizards prefer to live in areas with some vegetation and cover, but plenty of open ground for running.
About This Species
The long-nose leopard lizard can often be found basking in full sun on rocks and other warm surfaces. When it is threatened, it "freezes" by running under cover and flattening itself into the ground. They are found in most of the United States' major deserts. They are easily identifiable by their leopard-like spots.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
This relatively large lizard has a brownish-gray back covered in small brown spots. The scales are small and smooth and the tail is long and slender. Females can reach 38cm (14.5cm SVL) and sport reddish-orange spots along her sides during breeding season. Males are slightly smaller than females and have sevaeral rows of enlarged postanal scales. Young are 42-47mm at hatching and have obvious light lines and red spots on back. Eggs are usually 20mmx14mm.
Range
Colorado Distribution: Far western border, in Garfield, Mesa, and Montezuma counties.
Habitat
Leopard lizards prefer areas with bare ground or sparse vegetation, including greesewood, sagebrush, and rabbitbrush. The presence of numerous rodent burrows is also preferred as these lizards will take refuge in the burrows at night or during the winter.
Diet
Many insects and other lizards, including grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, wasps, caterpillars western whiptails and plateau lizards.
Reproduction
Mating occurs in late May and early June, followed by egg laying in late June to early July. Clutches in Colorado average 6-10 eggs and are laid in underground burrows. Hatchlings start appearing in August.