Gerrhonotus infernalis

Last updated

Texas alligator lizard
Gerrhonotus infernalis.jpg
Texas Alligator Lizard,
Gerrhonotus infernalis
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anguidae
Genus: Gerrhonotus
Species:
G. infernalis
Binomial name
Gerrhonotus infernalis
Baird, 1859
Gerrhonotus infernalis distribution.png
Synonyms [2]
  • Gerrhonotus infernalis
    Baird, 1859
  • Gerrhonotus liocephalus infernalisCope, 1900
  • Gerrhonotus infernalis
    Good, 1994

The Texas alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis) is a species of lizard in the subfamily Gerrhonotinae of the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the central region of the American state of Texas, and south into adjacent northern Mexico.

Contents

Description

The Texas alligator lizard is a medium-sized lizard, attaining a maximum total length (including tail) of around 24 to 25 in (61 to 64 cm). It is the largest lizard species in Texas, and one of the largest alligator lizards in the world. This lizard has a flat, wedge-shaped head. Its body is generally a yellow-brown color, often with darker brown and white checker patterning on its dorsal surfaces, and uniformly light-colored, white, or grey on its ventral surfaces. Its scales are very stiff and plate-like. It has short limbs, and a tail that can fall off to distract a potential predator, but will regrow in time.

Errhonotine lizards are known for their broad heads, short limbs and being heavily armored with scales, from which the common name alligator lizard derived. Gerrhonotus liocephalus, in particular, can be easily recognized by 16 longitudinal rows of dorsal scales and 46 to 54 dorsal scales from the occiput to the base of the tail (Brown 1950). Osteologically, it has supranasal expansion, prefrontal-superciliary contact, a single preocular, loss of one canthal/loreal element, and two temporals contacting the orbit (Good 1988). The color pattern of this species undergoes considerable change with age. Hatchlings are a deep metallic brown with well-defined white crossbands (Bartlett 1999). Adult color pattern ranges from a tan yellowish to a reddish brown with eight to ten lighter crossbands on the dorsum that are weakly edged with brown. The head and ventrum are unmarked with the tail being similar to the dorsum. Crossbands on aged specimens are vague. Texas Alligator Lizard hatchlings are around four inches in length, and can reach up to 20 inches in length at full maturiy (Bevans 1956).

Behavior

The Texas alligator lizard is a relatively slow, diurnal lizard, with quite good vision. Though not generally aggressive, it may bite if handled, and is incorrectly considered to be venomous by many cultures.

Habitat

G. infernalis is often found on rocky hillsides, where it hides among the stones or in limestone crevices. Though uncommonly seen in its most suitable habitats, Gerrhonotus liocephalus has a range from the Edwards Plateau of Central Texas, south throughout low-mid elevations in eastern Mexico.

Diet

The primary diet of G. infernalis is insects and other invertebrates, but it may sometimes prey on nestling birds or rodents.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs year-round; sometimes, multiple clutches of eggs are laid per year. Females will often stay near the nesting site to protect it, but no parental care occurs once the young alligator lizards hatch. The young generally have more striking markings, and are only about 3–4 in (7.6–10.2 cm) long (including tail).

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern copperhead</span> Species of reptile

The eastern copperhead, also known simply as the copperhead, is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper, endemic to eastern North America; it is a member of the subfamily Crotalinae in the family Viperidae.

<i>Gerrhonotus</i> Genus of lizards

Gerrhonotus is a genus of anguid lizards that are commonly referred to as alligator lizards, due to a vague resemblance to an alligator. Most species are restricted to Mexico, but a few range into Guatemala or Texas, and G. rhombifer is from Costa Rica and Panama. Along with glass lizards (Ophisaurus) and many other lizards, alligator lizards have the ability to regrow their tail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern alligator lizard</span> Species of lizard

The southern alligator lizard is a common species of lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is native to the Pacific coast of North America. It ranges from Baja California to the state of Washington and lives in a variety of habitats including grasslands, chaparral, forests, and even urban areas. In dry climates, it is likely to be found in moist areas or near streams. There are five recognized subspecies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Plains skink</span> Species of lizard

The Great Plains skink is a species of lizard endemic to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prairie skink</span> Species of lizard

The prairie skink is a species of skink endemic to the prairies east of the Rocky Mountains in North America. It is one of only seven species of lizards that occur in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern alligator lizard</span> Species of lizard

The northern alligator lizard is a species of medium-sized lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the North American west coast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granite spiny lizard</span> Species of lizard

The granite spiny lizard is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.

<i>Petrosaurus mearnsi</i> Species of lizard

Petrosaurus mearnsi, also called the banded rock lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to western North America.

<i>Crotaphytus reticulatus</i> Species of lizard

Crotaphytus reticulatus, commonly called the reticulate collared lizard, is a species of moderately sized lizard in the family Crotaphytidae. The species is native to semiarid, rocky regions of the Tamaulipan mezquital. Its range includes the US state of Texas and the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. Of all the species in the family Crotaphytidae, C. reticulatus is the only species which is not restricted to rocky habitats.

<i>Ctenosaura pectinata</i> Species of lizard

Ctenosaura pectinata is a species of moderately large lizard in the family Iguanidae. The species is native to western Mexico.

<i>Holbrookia maculata</i> Species of lizard

Holbrookia maculata, commonly known as the lesser earless lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico. There are eight recognized subspecies.

<i>Sceloporus merriami</i> Species of lizard

Sceloporus merriami, commonly known as the canyon lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico.

<i>Arizona elegans philipi</i> Subspecies of snake

Arizona elegans philipi, commonly known as the Painted Desert glossy snake, is a subspecies of glossy snakes, a nonvenomous colubrid endemic to North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican alligator lizard</span> Species of lizard

The Mexican alligator lizard, also known as the green arboreal alligator lizard, is an endangered species of lizard endemic to the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca highlands of Mexico. It can be found in the states of Puebla, Veracruz, and Oaxaca. It was originally described under the genus Gerrhonotus as Gerrhonotus gramineus by Edward D. Cope in 1864.

<i>Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen</i> Subspecies of snake

Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen was formerly a venomous pit viper subspecies found in the eastern United States. However, recent taxonomic changes do not recognize the northern copperhead as a valid taxon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-nosed leopard lizard</span> Species of lizard

The long-nosed leopard lizard is a species of relatively large North American lizard in the family Crotaphytidae. Gambelia wislizenii ranges in snout-to-vent length (SVL) from 8.3 to 14.6 cm. It has a large head, a long nose, and a long round tail that can be longer than its body. It is closely related to the blunt-nosed leopard lizard, which closely resembles the long-nosed leopard lizard in body proportions, but has a conspicuously blunt snout. The species G. wislizenii, once considered part of the genus Crotaphytus, is under moderate pressure because of habitat destruction but is categorized as "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern glass lizard</span> Species of reptile

The eastern glass lizard is a species of legless lizard in the family Anguidae, endemic to the Southeastern United States. The streamlined, legless species is often confused with snakes. Glass lizards differ from snakes as they possess a moveable eyelid and an external ear opening, both of which are absent in snakes. Ventralis comes from the Latin "venter" meaning belly; this is in reference to the snake-like movement.

The isthmian alligator lizard is a species of lizard of the Anguidae family. G. rhombifer is found in both Costa Rica and Panama. Unlike many lizards near its habitat, individuals have lateral folds. They give birth to live young. Gerrhonotus rhombifer had not been seen for fifty years, prior to being rediscovered in 2000 near Golfito, and is one of the rarest species of lizard in Costa Rica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madrean alligator lizard</span> Species of lizard

The Madrean alligator lizard is a species of lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and adjacent northwestern Mexico.

<i>Gerrhonotus liocephalus</i> Species of lizard

Gerrhonotus liocephalus, the Texas alligator lizard or Wiegmann's alligator lizard, is a species of lizard of the Anguidae family. It is found in Texas, Mexico and Guatemala.

References

  1. Hammerson, G.A.; Vazquez Díaz, J.; Gadsden. H.; Quintero Díaz, G.E.; Ponce-Campos, P.; Lavin, P. (2007). "Gerrhonotus infernalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2007: e.T63707A12707760. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63707A12707760.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. Species Gerrhonotus infernalis at The Reptile Database . www.reptile-database.org.

Another: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Gerrhonotus_liocephalus/

Further reading