| Canyon lizard | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Sceloporus |
| Species: | S. merriami |
| Binomial name | |
| Sceloporus merriami Stejneger, 1904 | |
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. [1] [2]
The specific name, merriami, is in honor of American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam. [2] [3] [4]
S. merriami is found in the United States in the state of Texas, and it is found in Mexico in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, [1] and Nuevo León. [2]
Adults of S. merriami may reach 58 mm (2.2 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL). Including the tail, they may reach 162 mm (6.4 in) in total length. The dorsal scales are small, and the lateral scales are granular. [5]
Dorsally, the canyon lizard is gray, tan, or reddish-brown, matching the rocks on which it lives. There are four rows of dark spots on the back, and a vertical black line in front of the front leg. Males have blue and black lines on the throat. [6]
The seven recognized subspecies of S. merriami, including the nominotypical subspecies, are: [2]
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Sceloporus merriami annulatus, commonly known as the Big Bend canyon lizard, is a subspecies of the canyon lizard, and is endemic to southwestern Texas and adjacent northeastern Mexico.
Sceloporus merriami longipunctatus, commonly known as the Presidio canyon lizard, is a subspecies of the canyon lizard, and is endemic to southwestern Texas and northeastern Mexico. It is unknown if it interbreeds with the other subspecies of canyon lizard found in the same region, but it is likely.
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The eastern glass lizard is a species of legless lizard in the family Anguidae. The species is endemic to the Southeastern United States.
The Florida scrub lizard is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is endemic to Florida, the United States.
The brown water snake is a large species of nonvenomous natricine snake endemic to the southeastern United States.
