Geographic range:
Neotropical: Crotaphytus dickersonae is Mexican endemit with
a very restricted range in the coastal mountains of Sonora, between
Punta Cirio and Bahia Kino. It can also be found on the Isla Tiburon
in the Sea of Cortez.
Physical characteristics: Slender
lizard with a large head. The male reaches up to 10 cm in SVL (snout
-vent length) and total of 28 cm with tail included. Females are slightly
smaller (around 8 cm in SVL). The dorsal coloration of a male is a
vibrant cobalt blue with dorsal side covered with white spots and
dorsally complete collar. The anterior collar is complete ventrally.
In males the gular area is gray with a black center and enlarged inguinal
patches are present. Females lack the gular coloration and the inguinal
patches. When mating season approaches, females acquire a more pronounced
and brighter orange color. Six horizontal orange bars on each side
of the dorsal area become more obvious, beginning right behind the
head and ending just above the hips. Each orange bar goes from the
side of the belly almost to mid-dorsal section.
Food habits: Not much is known about
the diet in the wild, but captive individuals eat Zophoba worms, crickets,
grasshoppers and also young mice.
Reproduction: Copulation has been
observed to last about 1.5 to 2 minutes in captivity. Females are
known to lay around 4 - 6 eggs in each clutch. Second clutch was recorded
to be laid 50 days after the firs one with approximately the same
number of eggs. Eggs measure in between 24 and 27 mm and hatch approximately
50 days after they are laid. Hatchlings measure around 4 cm in SVL
and total of 8 cm.
Habitat: Rocky mountain desert.
Biomes: desert
Conservation: Crotaphytus dickersonae
is protected by Mexican law. |
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