McMartinVille--Reptiles

 
NO NEED FOR A CAR, CLICKED YER MOUSE... AND HERE YOU ARE! "McMartinVille"
 

Baja Collared Lizard

Order:  Squamata (scaled reptiles)
Suborder:  Lacertilia (=Sauria) (lizards)
Family:  Iguanidae (iguanid lizards)
Subfamily:  Crotaphytinae (collared and leopard lizards)
Genus:  Crotaphytus (collared lizards)
Also known as: escorpion (Spanish for "scorpion," a common term for lizards)

Scientific Name:  Crotaphytus vestigium Smith and Tanner, 1972

Habitat:  Rocky areas with sparse vegetation.

krotaphos="temples/sides of head," phyton="creature,"  vestigium="footstep/trace"

Length: To 13 inches total. Former Scientific Name:  Crotaphytus insularis vestigium
Food:  Insects and other lizards. Baja Collared Lizard Range

I found this lizard in Palm Canyon, Anza-Borrego State Park.  It was pretty emaciated--perhaps the lack of recent rain fall had kept food supplies to a minimum.

In this picture, it is easy to make out the pelvic girdle between the hind legs.  In a well-fed lizard, this woud not be evident.  Also, notice the dorsolateral compression of the tail (narrower than it is tall--not rounded like that of the eastern collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris).
When I moved in closer, the lizard took refuge under its basking rock.

Collared lizards are known for their ferocity--eating other lizards among other things, as well as their ability to run on their hind legs.