SOUTHERN BUNCHGRASS LIZARD
(Sceloporus aeneus)
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Geographic range:Nearctic, Neotropical: S. aeneus is native to Mexico (states of Chihuahua, Guerrero, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacan, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Estado Mexico and Federal District).

Physical characteristics: Small sized (10 cm), slightly robust lizard of dark olive to brown color with two pairs of clear colored longitudinal lines - one in laterodorsal and the other in lateral region. The superior line begins in parietal region and runs along the body length reaching the dorsolateral region on the tail. Inferior line begins at the level of supralabial scales on the head. A black patch is present on the shoulder region. Head, legs and tail are slender. The ventral region is gray in both sexes, darker in males.

Food habits: S. aeneus is insectivorous (Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera...).

Reproduction: S. aeneus is oviparous. Mating occurs in spring, ovulation in summer. It is likely that two clutches are laid during one year period. Typical clutch size is 8 to 9 eggs (aprox 4 x10mm in size).

Behavior: Very vary diurnal lizard, which inhabits bunch grass areas. It is never found in the open and has never been observed to have arboreal habits.

Habitat:
Typically inhabiting bunch grass areas, it can be found wherever this habitat is present. Populations from forested areas, where bunch grass is present, but less abundant, are known to be smaller.

Biomes: temperate forests, mountains

 

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