5 Lively North American Lizards

We sincerely hope that each of you, our readers, will enjoy and appreciate this article we present about these 5 Lively North American Lizards. It was certainly our pleasure to compile the information for you. May it provide you with both education and increased awareness.

These scant few species listed herein represent only a tiny portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our belief that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders found here. Check out some of our many other articles for similar marvels.

Texas Alligator Lizard

Texas Aligator Lizard Facts

• Leading off this article about these 5 Lively North American Lizards we present the remarkable product of evolution named the Texas Alligator Lizard.
• This intriguing product of reptilian evolution most frequently goes by the attention-grabbing common name for very good reasons. For the moment, this distinctive and remarkable animal has no other broadly accepted general title within its range, despite its popularity.
• Within the scientific world, however, the animal’s perhaps much better known by its technical appellation. Unfortunately, like many such terms, that’s a difficult one for the layperson to pronounce. That’s because the marvel holds the official tag Gerrhonotus infernalis.
• The amazing creature received that moniker due to the efforts of Spencer Fullerton Baird. The respected American herpetologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He achieved that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1859.
• This marvelous work of Nature and evolution stands out from its numerous relatives in at least one respect. That’s true since it ranks as one of the largest of all known reptiles collectively called alligator lizards. It’s also the largest lizard in the region of the world it lives in.
• Thankfully, the Texas Alligator Lizard appears to be maintaining a thriving and abundant population base. That pleasant trend also seems to extend throughout its entire range. The IUCN thus lists it as Least Concern on its famous Red List of Threatened Species.
• The impressive creature nevertheless should be considered as facing several potential threats to its continued existence as a species, at least. That’s a lamentable state it shares with all life on earth, though. These include the perils of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.

Texas Alligator Lizard Physical Description

The fascinating Texas Alligator Lizard generally appeals to most of those fortunate enough to encounter it. The animal typically does so, however, due more to its appearance than pure size. That’s true since, though large for its specific kind, it remains only an average-sized lizard.

It follows a pattern of evolution common to most animals on earth, including lizards. That’s in the fact that it shows a certain degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In the case of this particular species, though, that trait natural manifests in terms of sheer size.

More specifically, the males attain greater overall body measurements than the female of the species. However, that difference remains extremely slight. Distinguishing the genders of individuals based purely on their outward appearance can therefore be difficult for untrained observers.

Taken collectively, mature specimens of this reptile achieve a mean body length roughly ranging from 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm). The thin, elongated tail, though, adds an additional average of 8 – 9 in (20 – 23 cm). The tail thus gives it a total mean length of about 24 – 25 in (61 – 64 cm).

In coloring, both sexes of the mesmerizing Texas Alligator Lizard display the same basic pattern. This primarily consists of a background of yellowish-brown. Yet, the upper back often shows a darker brown, with an off-white checkered pattern present. The stomach appears gray or white.

One other feature, however, also catches the eye, and serves to earn it part of its common name. That’s the presence of stiff, plate-like scales covering much of the body. The legs, meanwhile, develop as relatively short, and its tail can be lost, but regrow over a short span of time.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Anguidae
• Genus: Gerrhonotus
• Species: G. infernalis

Texas Alligator Lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The impressive Texas Alligator Lizard apparently evolved as native to only a small swathe of the earth’s surface. But, the exact location of this zone of habitation probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone. That’s true since, as the name itself implies, it’s mainly present in the state of Texas.

This remarkable member of the United States, appears in the approximate south-central portion of the country. Within that area, though, this unique animal only lives in the central and southern sections. It also lives in small portions of the northern regions of the country of Mexico.

Inside of that territorial range, the extraordinary lizard displays a moderate amount of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat. It thus resides in several different types of local ecosystems. Yet, in all of the areas in which it makes its home, it generally lives in either arid or semi-arid regions.

Most frequently, the intrepid reptile lives in regions composed of rocky hillsides and slopes, likely because these provide ample cover. It does dwell in other locations, though. Some of these include such places as inside rocky canyons, and close to comparatively rocky springs or streams.

The aptly-named Texas Alligator Lizard developed as carnivorous in its nature, as well as diurnal. Generally, it consumes smaller sources of nutrition, including insects and other, similar-sized invertebrates. But, the reptile occasionally feeds on small rodents, or even nesting birds.

When not actively hunting its prey, the animal generally spends the majority of its time hiding in the shade. Breeding takes place throughout the year, with several clutches being laid. Females typically remain close to the nest until after hatching occurs, but then ignore their young thereafter.

Jackson’s Chameleon

Jackson’s Chameleon Facts

• Next up in this compilation of 5 Lively North American Lizards comes the fascinating creature men typically call the Jackson’s Chameleon.
• The term we’ve used herein serves as just one of the common names for a particularly distinctive species of reptile. In fact, this remarkable creature actually remains known by quite a wide variety of common monikers. Some of these titles remain quite distinctive.
• Some of these alternate tags include such truly colorful names as the horned chameleon, Jackson’s Horned Chameleon, and even the Kikuyu three-horned chameleon. Its scientific name, however, remains that of the somewhat hard to pronounce Trioceros jacksonii.
• By either of these many names, though, it represents a truly fascinating animal. The highly renowned Belgian-British zoologist George Albert Boulenger made the first official recognition of it as a separate species. This formal acknowledgement occurred in the year 1896.
• Quite fortunately, for the moment, at least, its population appears to be remaining both stable and sufficient. This further holds true throughout the entirety of its range. As a result, the IUCN currently lists it as Least Concern on its published Red List of Threatened Species.
• The marvelous Jackson’s Chameleon nonetheless faces several potential threats to its continued existence as a species. One of these dangers involves the presence of invasive species in its native range. Its greatest threat, though, no doubt consists of climate change.

Jackson’s Chameleon Physical Description

It bears noting that, while the fascinating Jackson’s Chameleon truly impresses those fortunate enough to enocunter one, it does not do so due to sheer size. Somewhat surprisingly to some, this specific reptile only ranks as a roughly average-sized species among its many relatives in its Order.

This wonder of Nature and evolution does, however, amaze the viewer in other ways. For one, the animal displays the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism in not one, but two separate ways. Although not unknown, this degree of gender-based differentiation remains uncommon.

In terms of overall size, the males of the species attain respectably greater average measurements than their female counterparts. He reaches an average head-to-tail length of roughly 15 in (38 cm). She, meanwhile, only grows to an average total length measuring roughly 10 in (25 cm).

The second manifestation of the sex-based differences develops in regards to the presence of horns. The male actually develops three of these horns, generally showing brown in color. Females of the creature, on the other hand, possess no horns at all, distinguishing themselves significantly.

In coloring, though, both genders of the fabulous Jackson’s Chameleon develop essentially the same appearance. This pattern evolved as somewhat changeable, however. The principal color usually presents as a very bright green, with some shades of yellow or blue, though this changes.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Chamaeleonidae
• Genus: Triceros
• Species: T. jacksonii

Jackson’s Chameleon Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Despite the fact that it’s now been spread by the actions of man to other parts of the world, the Jackson’s Chameleon evolved as native to only a small are of the globe. More specifically, it develop as endemic to portions of what’s now the two countries of Tanzania and Kenya, in Africa.

Now, though, the intriguing animal appears in the wild in several other regions of the globe. Through the recklessness of humans it now inhabits, in small numbers, portions of the Hawaiian Islands and Florida, in the United States. Unconfirmed reports of sightings in other areas also exist.

Wherever it appears, the distinct reptile habitually proves itself to be reasonably flexible in terms of its specific habitat. In its natural range, the creature lives at altitudes between 5,250 -8,010 ft (1,600 – 2,440 m). In Hawaii, however, it now appears at heights between 330 – 3,280 ft (100 – 1,000 m).

Within all these places, though, the intrepid Jackson’s Chameleon apparently prefers to make its home in regions of local forests and woodlands. It further requires these various areas to possess ample amounts of rainfall, as well as temperate to tropical temperature ranges for its survival.

Just as its many close relatives, it evolved as purely carnivorous in nature. For this, its adaptive camouflage serves it perfectly, It primarily consumes large quantities of various insects, such as isopods, millipedes, spiders, centipedes, snails, and sometimes even other small lizards.

This marvel also distinguishes itself in yet one more extraordinary manner. Most chameleons lay eggs, but not this one. This species gives live birth, typically to between 8 – 30 young. Interestingly, while most related creatures are highly territorial, this one typically remains much less so.

Leaping Lesbian Lizard

Leaping Lesbain Lizard Facts

• Our next choice for inclusion in this listing of these 5 Lively North American Lizards is the stunningly resourceful animal known by the unique title of Leaping Lesbian Lizard.
• Somewhat uniquely, this attention-grabbing title serves as the popular name for a particular New Mexico Whiptail Lizard. What sets this remarkable creature apart, however, is the fact that it was produced through the inter-breeding of two distinct native species of lizard.
• Amazingly, this astonishing lizard resulted from the mixing of the Little Striped Whiptail and the Western Whiptail, which occurred without the aid of man. The hybridization of these species produces sterile males, however. But, the resourcefulness of Nature did not stop there.
• That’s because the incredible species actually managed to achieve parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction. This allows the resulting all-female population to reproduce. The unusual lizard, therefore, actually evolved into a separate species capable of reproduction.
• In fact, this combination of inter-species hybridization and parthenogenesis isn’t entirely unique. It also exists in other species within the animal kingdom. That’s due to the fact that the process exists as a reproductive strategy in several species, also varieties of whiptail lizard.
• The mind-blowing Leaping Lesbian Lizard also holds yet another distinction. This one, however, has nothing to do with any physical aspect of the creature. That’s because this phenomenal reptile currently represents the official state reptile of the state of New Mexico.

Leaping Lesbian Lizard Physical Description

Perhaps most notably, the amazing Leaping Lesbian Lizard, regardless of any of its other attributes, constitutes merely a small-to-moderate sized lizard. That occurs due to the fact that the majority of individuals attain a total length measuring somewhere between 6.5 – 9.1 in (16.5 – 23 cm).

Quite obviously, sexual dimorphism does not appear in this species, as it does in many related creatures on earth today, though. Among most specimens, its natural coloring typically presents as an overall brown or black. However, seven pale yellow stripes also extend from head to tail.

Numerous light spots also often occur between the head-to-tail stripes of this biological wonder. The majority of individuals also have a white or pale blue underside, with a blue or blue-green colored throat. The body of the Leaping Lesbian Lizard additionally develops a distinctive shape.

That construction appears as distinctly slender, while the tail of the awesome reptile grows comparatively long. In fact, this particular shape, in combination with its eye-catching coloring pattern, additionally represents an evolutionary adaptation designed for camouflage in its habitat.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Telidae
• Genus: Cnemidophorus
• Species: C. neomexicanus

Leaping Lesbian Lizard Behavior

Like most others among its kindred, the Leaping Lesbian Lizard also evolved as diurnal in nature. It’s thus far more active in the daylight hours. The reptile also evolved as entirely insectivorous in nature. It remains wary, energetic, and fast moving, frequently darting for cover if approached.

Its reproductive methods, however, clearly and distinctly separate the animal from most related types of lizards. When this remarkable animal reproduces, the mother-to-be actually lays up to four unfertilized eggs. This action most commonly occurs in the mid-summer part of the year.

These precious few eggs laid then typically hatch approximately eight weeks later. Intriguingly, despite reproducing asexually, and being an all-female species, the Leaping Lesbian Lizard still engages in mating behavior with other females of its own species, as its common name also implies.

Interestingly, a common belief among many researchers suggests a logical purpose for this. That theory proposes that this observed behavior helps to stimulate ovulation in individuals. This supposition occurs due to the observed fact that those examples who do not mate do not lay eggs.

Leaping Lesbian Lizard Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Not surprisingly, the fascinating Leaping Lesbian Lizard evolved as indigenous to a particularly arid environment. This zone of habitation likely comes as no surprise to anyone, though. That specific range includes the southern United States and also northern Mexico, in North America.

However, even within these two already limited regions, the amazing Leaping Lesbian Lizard also has specific areas it chooses to inhabit. As a result, in the United States it only appears in New Mexico and Arizona. Meanwhile, in Mexico, the species only lives in the area of Chihuahua.

The New Mexico Whiptail Lizard, as it’s also occasionally called, also lives in a relatively wide variety of semi-arid habitats. These varied regions include grassland, rocky areas, shrubland, or mountainside woodlands, proving its adaptability. It’s truly a remarkable creation of Nature.

Green Iguana

Green Iguana Facts

• Now appearing in this compendium of 5 Lively North American Lizards we give you the dazzling creature understandably bearing the name of Green Iguana.
• The descriptive title that it’s given serves as the most frequently used common name for this remarkable product of evolution. The intriguing reptile does have a few other general titles, though. Those include such terms as the common green iguana and American iguana.
• Scientific professionals, however, perhaps know the amazing creature better by its purely technical epithet. Amazingly, that’s an extremely simple term for the layperson to pronounce. It’s even somewhat ironic, as well. That’s because it holds the formal tag Iguana iguana.
• The impressive creature received that simple appellation due to the efforts of Carl Linnaeus. The highly esteemed Swedish zoologist accomplished the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that scientifically noteworthy deed in the year 1758.
• Researchers previously believed that a large number of subspecies of the fascinating animal also existed. Subsequent studies eventually disproved this erroneous belief, however. Herpetologists eventually reclassified these as simply regional variants of the same species.
• Fortunately, the Green Iguana appears to be maintaining a large and thriving population base in the wild. That pleasant state further seems to hold true across its entire native range. The IUCN therefore presently lists it as Least Concern on its Red List of Threatened Species.
• The fauna nevertheless still faces several potential threats to its continued existence as a species, at least. Most of these dangers stem from the actions of mankind. They include the related perils of habitat degradation, loss, and the ongoing effects of climate change.

Green Iguana Physical Description

The beautiful Green Iguana almost immediately captures the attention of those individuals fortunate enough to encounter it. But the wonder doesn’t simply do so due to its visual appeal, great though that is. This holds true since it also grows to fully respectable dimensions when fully mature.

The lizard also follows the same pattern in this regard that the majority of its numerous kindred around the world display. That’s because it presents a degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, however, this trait manifests itself purely in terms of size.

More specifically, males of the species attain a greater average size than their female counterparts. This trend extends to both length and mass. Overall, though, the species reaches an average total length equaling approximately 3.9 – 5.6 ft (1.2 – 1.7 m). Yet, the tail accounts for most of this.

Despite the great total length, the body itself only averages somewhere between 12 – 17 in (30 – 42 cm). Males achieve a mean weight of about 8.8 lb (4 kg). Females, however, vary much more significantly in this respect. A typical mass for them ranges from about 2.6 – 6.6 lb (1.2 – 3 kg).

Exceptional individuals do occur, though, among both sexes. Some of the larger males reach or even exceed 18 lb (8.2 kg) in mass. On extremely rare occasions, a few mammoth examples even weigh as much as 20 lb (9.1 kg). These extreme examples occasionally reach lengths of up to 6.6 ft (2 m).

Otherwise, the genders of the mesmerizing Green Iguana present the same general outward appearance to the casual observer. Incredibly, this includes a row of thin, vertical spines extending from the tail across the back. The reptile’s tail also develops as highly elongated and quite thin.

But it’s the astonishingly vibrant colors of the creature that draw the most interest. Regardless of its common name, green only forms one of the many hues the animal presents. These vary, especially between locations. But, they include bluish, lavender, red, black, brown, and even orange.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Iguanidae
• Genus: Iguana
• Species: I. iguana

Green Iguana Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The deceptively-named Green Iguana evolved as endemic to a surprisingly large swathe of the earth’s surface. The full extent of that native zone of habitation might come as a shock to some people, though. That’s because it mainly lives in all of Central America and part of South America.

Though commonly present throughout Central America, southward, the distinctive animal only appears in the general northern half of South America. That reaches as far as northern Paraguay. To the far north, however, it does live in extreme portions of southern Mexico, in North America.

This breathtaking creation of Nature displays decidedly strong preferences regarding its choice of habitat type. It primarily prefers to inhabit regions consisting of humid, tropical rainforests. The creature also manifests favoritism for areas situated in close proximity to abundant water sources.

Just like many other iguanas around the globe, this wonder of countless ages of evolution also developed as primarily arboreal in nature. Descending to the ground therefore occurs infrequently. It thus spends the vast majority of its time in the dense canopy of the ecosystems it inhabits.

The marvelous Green Iguana additionally developed as diurnal in terms of its behavior. For its dietary preferences, it feeds principally as a herbivore. The majority of that fare consists of various local fruit, flowers, and leaves. The occasional small invertebrate augments this, though.

Following mating, the female usually lays anywhere between 20 – 71 eggs in a burrow. Amazingly, she generally ignores the eggs completely once she has completed the process. Incubation typically requires 10 – 15 weeks. Hatchlings tend to stay together in a group for about an entire year.

Gila Monster

Gila Monster Facts

• Closing out this gathering of these 5 Lively North American Lizards comes the breathtaking work of natural evolution misleadingly named the Gila Monster.
• This extraordinary product of reptilian evolution most frequently goes by the attention-grabbing common name given to it herein. Intriguingly, this remarkable creature has no other broadly accepted general titles. Sadly, this daunting one has stuck with the animal.
• Within scientific circles, however, the marvel of Nature is perhaps significantly better known by its purely technical designation. Like most such terms, though, that’s somewhat difficult for the layperson to pronounce. It now bears the formal epithet of Heloderma suspectum.
• The much-maligned creature received that appellation due to the efforts of Edward Drinker Cope. This respected American herpetologist achieved the first recognition of it as a separate and distinct species. He managed that scientifically noteworthy feat in the year 1869.
• It stands out in the minds of many because of its nature and location. That’s due to the fact that this wonder represents the only venomous lizard native to its region. But, despite having an extremely fearsome reputation, its slow-moving nature means its rarely dangerous to man.
• Unfortunately, however, the amazing Gila Monsters currently finds itself in dire straits. Its present population appears to be continuing to dwindle. This holds true even though it became a protected species in 1952. The IUCN lists it as Near Threatened on its published Red List.
• The wonder of Nature and evolution faces multiple threats to its continued existence as a species. Like most similar fomrs of life, the majority of these stem from the actions of man. Its greatest threats consist of the dual dangers of habitat loss and ongoing climate change.

Gila Monster Physical Description

The fascinating Gila Monster typically draws a great deal of attention from those individuals fortunate enough to view the captivating reptile. Yet, it does so for more reasons than its reputation. That’s because this distinctive member of its Genus also achieves some respectable dimensions.

It also follows a pattern of development shared my many of its relatives around the world in this regard. That’s evidenced by the fact that it displays a certain amount of the physiological characeristic of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, that trait manifests itself in unusual ways.

Males of this biological marvel generally develop heads noticeably larger than those of their female counterparts. This gender also usually possesses a stouter body shape. Along with a narrower head, the females also more commonly develop a markedly more pear-shaped body structure.

Aside from these differences, though, the two sexes present the same general outward appearance to the casual observer. The marvel’s body attains an average length ranging from beteween 10 – 14 in (26 – 36 cm). Its tail varies in length, with the total ranging from roughly 20 – 22 in (51 – 56 cm).

The body mass of the stunning Gila Monster also naturally varies. Surprisingly, this occurs more due to the gender than individual variations. Typically, this runs from approximately 1.21 – 1.76 lbs (0.55 – 0. 8 kg). Though exceptional specimens do sometimes occur, they rarely exceed this by much.

It’s the evolved pattern of coloring of the awesome animal that perhaps most draws the eye, however. The background primarily consists of a covering of scales, showing a remarkable shade of light pink or orange. Augmenting this, though, is a pattern of random black bands and spots.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Family: Helodermatidae
• Genus: Heloderma
• Species: H. suspectum

Gila Monster Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Unfortunately, the marvelous Gila Monster evolved as native to only a moderate expanse of the surface of the earth. The nature and exact location of that zone of habitation might surprise many people, though. That’s true since it developed as indigenous to small portions of North America.

Yet, even there it’s territorial range remains quite limited. The distinctive lizard mainly lives within the northwest portions of the United States. There, it appears in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of California. A small population also dwell in Sonora, Mexico, however.

Nature further provided the amazing animal with a reasonable degree of adaptability to a moderately broad range of habitat types. It therefore resides in several different ecosystems. That high degree of flexibility gives the intrepid creature a distinct evolutionary advantage.

These areas of habitation principally consists of regions of either scrubland, oak woodlands, or cacti-filled desert areas. In each of these environments, it’s typically found in thickets, shallow burrows, and under larger rocks. Individuals generally tend to avoid most open areas.

Due to the harsh nature of its immediate surroundings, the Gila Monster evolved to spend the great majority of its time in shelters or underground. It’s usually most active during the spring and early summer in the mornings. The natural marvel also typically changes shelter every 4 – 5 days.

The reptile additionally evolved as mainly carnivorous in terms of its diet. This primarily consists of such widely varied fare as mice, rabbits, hares, small birds, snakes, frogs, insects, and even carrion. But, it also feeds on the eggs of other lizards, birds, snakes, and tortoises when it finds them.

Nature also provided this species with yet other natural advantages. As mentioned previously, it’s also venomous. Unlike snakes, this isn’t injected via fangs. Instead, it bites down firmly, breaking the skin, and releases the toxin from glands. It’s rarely fatal to healthy adult humans, though.

5 Lively North American Lizards

We truly hope that each of you, our readers, have enjoyed and appreciated this article we presented about these 5 Lively North American Lizards. It was certainly our pleasure to compile the information for you. Hopefully, it provided you with both education and increased awareness.

These few species listed herein represent only a portion of the natural wonders found throughout the region, though. Yet, it’s our firm belief that they serve as excellent representations of the wonders found here. Check out some of our numerous other articles for similar marvels.

Check out our other articles on 5 Wonderful Mammals of Washington, Earth’s Amazingly Abundant Avians, 5 Spectacular Arctic Ocean Species, The Mighty Tornado, 5 Fantastic Fauna af Tunisia