Prairie Lizard and Plateau Fence Lizard
Rock-dwelling spiny lizards that can have stunning blue splotches on their undersides depending on their area.
About This Species
Members of the same family as horned lizards, these spiny lizards are very similar, with the plateau fence lizard appearing slightly spinier than the prairie lizard.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Upper side with spiny scales; scales on rear of thigh keeled and overlapping; coloration extremely variable, usually striped or crossbanded (see following); total length up to about 19 cm (7.5 inches).
Mature male
Two enlarged scales on underside of base of tail just behind vent; underside of base of tail with two bulges (from hemipenes).
Mountainous southwestern Colorado
Light stripes along sides of back of male usually distinct and not crossed by dark bands; blue patches on sides of throat and belly, with wide black margin in adult males.
Eastern edge of Rockies and rocky areas in southeastern Colorado
Back crossed by dark wavy bands; blue patches on throat meet at midline in adult male; lips, chin, and/or face of adults usually orange or yellow during breeding season (peak coloration in May), though some adult males may instead have extensive black coloration.
Sandy areas of eastern Colorado
Light stripes along sides of back usually distinct and not crossed by dark bands; usually no blue patches on sides of throat.
Western Colorado
Blue patches on sides of throat usually do not meet at midline; lips and chin never orange or yellow; dark crossbands on back often faint, discontinuous, or absent; sometimes upper side is patternless; dark stripe usually present sides of adult male.
Range
Throughout most of Colorado, except the high mountains in the central part of the state.
Habitat
Throughout most of Colorado, this species inhabits sunny, rocky habitats including cliffs, talus, old lava flows and cones, canyons, hogbacks, and various outcroppings. Vegetation adjacent to and among the rocks is variable and may include coniferous montane forest (e.g., ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir), piñon-juniper woodland, mountain shrubland, semidesert shrubland, or various grasses and forbs. Perch sites often are on rocks but also include trees, logs, piles of debris, buildings, and dirt banks, though the lizards also may spend a considerable amount of time on the ground. In southern Colorado, common habitat includes montane woodland with downed logs. In northeastern, east-central, and extreme southeastern Colorado, this lizard is a ground-dweller, occurring in areas with soft sandy soil and often associated with barren wind-eroded areas and patches of yucca. In some areas of eastern Colorado, the species is associated with rocky scarp woodlands and sandstone- or limestone-capped bluffs and buttes, and in prairie habitats, it commonly occurs in association with isolated rocks, debris, or other cover. Burrows, spaces under rocks, and various crevices are used as shelter during extended periods of inactivity or as refuges from danger.
Reproduction
Females produce one or more clutches of eggs in May, June, or July, sometimes in August. The earliest hatchlings emerge in mid- to late July in some areas, but not until August in other locations.