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Clark's Spiny Lizard

Sceloporus clarkii

Clark's Spiny Lizard is a colorful lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It has spiny scales that help protect it from predators and can often be seen climbing on rocks and trees.

Habitat: Desert

Appearance

The Clark's Spiny Lizard has rough, pointed scales giving it a spiky look. Its body is usually gray, tan, or brown with dark crossbands, helping it blend into tree bark. Males often sport bright blue patches on their throat and belly, making them stand out from females.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyPhrynosomatidaeGenusSceloporus
Clark's Spiny Lizard
arboreal trait badgecamouflaged trait badgecolorful trait badgeinsectivorous trait badge
Clark's Spiny Lizard

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Male Clark's Spiny Lizards do push-ups to show off their blue patches!

Their spiky scales help protect them from hungry predators!

These lizards love to munch on ants and spiders for their dinner!

They can drop their tail if a predator grabs it, then grow a new one!

Special abilities

Ability

Quick Change Artist

Clark's Spiny Lizard can change its skin color slightly to blend with its surroundings because this helps them hide from predators and ambush prey.

Ability

Arboreal Acrobat

Clark's Spiny Lizard has strong claws and sticky toe pads that helps them climb trees and rocks with amazing agility.

Ability

Solar Powered

Clark's Spiny Lizard can regulate its body temperature by basking in the sun because this helps them warm up for daily activities.

Measurements & details

Length
15-30 cm
Weight
0.015-0.05 kg
Lifespan
3-8 years
Top Speed
20 km/h
Clutch Size
2-17
Incubation
45-70 days

Diet & Feeding

This lizard loves to snack on insects and other small invertebrates to stay strong!

Primary Foods

  • Ants
  • Beetles
  • Crickets
  • Grasshoppers
  • Spiders
  • Caterpillars

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Gophersnake

Pituophis catenifer

A common snake predator in their habitat.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

These birds of prey hunt lizards from above.

hunts

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

A common food source for these lizards.

hunts

Fall Field Cricket

Gryllus pennsylvanicus

They actively search for these noisy insects.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Clark's Spiny Lizard?

The easiest way to identify Clark's Spiny Lizard is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Clark's Spiny Lizard?

15-30 cm

How much does Clark's Spiny Lizard weigh?

0.015-0.05 kg

How long does Clark's Spiny Lizard live?

3-8 years

How fast can Clark's Spiny Lizard move?

20 km/h

What does Clark's Spiny Lizard eat?

This lizard loves to snack on insects and other small invertebrates to stay strong!

Where is Clark's Spiny Lizard usually found?

Desert

How does Clark's Spiny Lizard hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

Where to spot

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