Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis
Encyclopedia
The southern spot-tailed earless lizard (Holbrookia lacerata subcaudalis) is a subspecies
of the spot-tailed earless lizard (Holbrookia lacerata
). Some sources consider it to be its own species
, as Holbrookia subcaudalis.
and the United States
in southern Texas
.
, a characteristic which gives them both their common and scientific names. As with all species of earless lizard
, they have no external ear
openings. When gravid, females will often turn bright green.
and insectivorous
. Their preferred habitat
is rocky desert flats, with sparse vegetation such as mesquite
and prickly pear cactus
.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the spot-tailed earless lizard (Holbrookia lacerata
Holbrookia lacerata
The spot-tailed earless lizard is a species of Phrynosomid lizard.-Geographic range:It is endemic to Mexico, in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, and to the United States, in south-central Texas.-Taxonomy:...
). Some sources consider it to be its own species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, as Holbrookia subcaudalis.
Geographic range
It is found in northern MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Description
The southern spot-tailed earless lizard is overall light gray in color, with two rows of dark blotches, one row down either side of the back. Adults are 4½-6 inches (11.5-15 cm) in total length. They have round, dark spots on the ventral surface of the tailTail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
, a characteristic which gives them both their common and scientific names. As with all species of earless lizard
Earless lizard
Earless lizards are two genera of small lizards native to the semi-arid and grassland habitats of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Cophosaurus and the genus Holbrookia are both characterized by having no external ear openings, presumably to prevent sand from entering the body as...
, they have no external ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
openings. When gravid, females will often turn bright green.
Behavior
As with all earless lizards, the southern spot-tailed earless lizard is diurnalDiurnal animal
Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...
and insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
. Their preferred habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
is rocky desert flats, with sparse vegetation such as mesquite
Mesquite
Mesquite is a leguminous plant of the Prosopis genus found in northern Mexico through the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Deserts, and up into the Southwestern United States as far north as southern Kansas, west to the Colorado Desert in California,and east to the eastern fifth of Texas, where...
and prickly pear cactus
Opuntia
Opuntia, also known as nopales or paddle cactus , is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae.Currently, only prickly pears are included in this genus of about 200 species distributed throughout most of the Americas. Chollas are now separated into the genus Cylindropuntia, which some still consider...
.