This has helped them adapt to their lifestyle of burrowing in the sand
This photo has a fun story. While visiting Big Bend National Park, our group went for a guided canoe trip along the Rio Grande. Partway through the trip, we stopped the canoes to eat lunch. The guideasked if we were interested in going for a hike, and we of course said yes. They led us across the river and up a slot canyon. When the canyon came to a terminus, there was a cave that we were able to walk through. Before entering the cave, I saw this lizard that seemed to be greeting everyone who came through. I was the last in the group to exit the cave. While I was exploring its depths, I felt something brush past my face. Those who had already left the cave watched as a bat flew past them. I guess that’s what hit me in the face!
The greater earless lizard belongs to a monotypic genus Cophosaurus, which means there is only one species within the genus. The scientific name for the greater earless lizard is Cophosaurus texanus. It is similar to the smaller, lesser earless lizards from the genus Holbrookia. Greater earless lizards do not have external ear openings. This has helped them adapt to their lifestyle of burrowing in the sand. Other features that lend to this burrowing lifestyle include a recessed lower jaw and flared upper labial scales.
Greater earless lizards are sexually dimorphic. This means that males and females exhibit different morphological characteristics. The male of this species is larger and more colorful than females. The males have pink and green colors that are particularly vibrant in the breeding season. They also have two black bars that marked the lateral region of the male. These bars are either light or nonexistent on females. The tan back and blue underside of this lizard means this is likely a female.
Greater earless lizards typically live three years, but they’ve been known to live up to five years. They reach their adult size by the time they are one year old and will begin mating in their second winter. The diet of the greater earless lizard is primarily insects. They will occasionally eat spiders and small lizards. They use a sit and wait forging strategy in which they will put themselves on a high vantage point and then dash out to capture their prey. That would explain why this lizard is hanging from the top of the cave entrance.
They reach their adult size by the time they are one year old
Did you know?
- This species of lizard is diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and rest at night.
- Greater earless lizard will perform territorial displays which include head bobbing, push-ups, and lateral body compression.
- These lizards can lose their tails and still live, but they will be 32% slower.
0 Comments