# Ornate Tree Lizard (*Urosaurus ornatus*) The Ornate Tree Lizard is a colorful little lizard that loves to climb trees and bask in the sun. With its bright patterns, it can blend in with the leaves, making it a fun creature to spot! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 17 - **Habitat:** Woodlands ![Ornate Tree Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Urosaurus_ornatus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Urosaurus_ornatus.jpg) ## Appearance The Ornate Tree Lizard is a small, slender reptile recognized by its intricate patterns of brown, gray, and black scales. Males often display iridescent blue-green patches on their sides and throat, making them stand out. They possess keeled scales, giving them a slightly rough texture, and a long, slender tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Urosaurus ## Interesting facts - An Ornate Tree Lizard can shed its skin in one piece, like peeling off a sock! - Males have bright blue or green throat patches that they flash to attract mates. - These lizards do 'push-ups' and head bobs to communicate with each other! - They sleep in tree crevices or under bark to stay safe from predators at night. ## Special abilities - **Color Camouflage:** Ornate Tree Lizard can change its skin color to blend seamlessly with tree bark or rocks, helping it hide from both predators and prey. - **Agile Climber:** Ornate Tree Lizard has specialized toe pads and sharp claws that help it grip rough surfaces and rapidly climb trees and rocks. - **Tail Drop Defense:** Ornate Tree Lizard can detach its tail when caught, which wriggles to distract a predator while the lizard makes a quick escape. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-12 - **Incubation:** 45-75 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny terrors, they gobble up insects and spiders with super-fast strikes! - **Primary Foods:** ants, beetles, spiders, crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Western Coachwhip (*Masticophis flagellum*) — A speedy snake that hunts lizards among rocks and shrubs. - **Eaten by:** [Greater Roadrunner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/greater-roadrunner) (*Geococcyx californianus*) — This fast bird snatches lizards from the ground and low branches. - **Eats:** [California Harvester Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-harvester-ant) (*Pogonomyrmex californicus*) — A common ant species that forms a significant part of the lizard's diet. - **Eats:** [Darkling Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/darkling-beetle) (*Eleodes obscura*) — These slow-moving beetles are easy prey for the agile lizard. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. They are best left in nature! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ornate Tree Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ornate Tree Lizard? 3-18 cm ### How much does Ornate Tree Lizard weigh? 0.002-0.01 kg ### How long does Ornate Tree Lizard live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Ornate Tree Lizard move? 15 km/h ### What does Ornate Tree Lizard eat? Tiny terrors, they gobble up insects and spiders with super-fast strikes! ### Where is Ornate Tree Lizard usually found? Woodlands ### How does Ornate Tree Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Mesa Grande](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-grande) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/southern-nevada-zoological-botanical-park) — Nevada, US · Zoo - [Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-research-institute) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [El Tovar Stables](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/el-tovar-stables) — Arizona, US · Historic District - [Elephant Butte Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elephant-butte-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District [View all places to see Ornate Tree Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ornate-tree-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Ornate Tree Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ornate-tree-lizard)