Lizards to know: Part 2

Part 2 of 'Lizards to know' presents some of the lizards in the 'upper canyon'. Using the dam area and the Bluff trail (roughly speaking) as the border, heading into the canyon from the border is 'upper', heading back to the visitor center from the border is 'lower'. Plenty of overlap in the border area. All photos here by Ned Harris.

Ornate Tree Lizard

Look carefully in the trees and on rocks above (and around) the dam to find Ornate Tree Lizards. Often, you won't be able to see them until they move. 

Sonoran or Gila Spotted Whiptail

There are four whiptail species in Sabino Canyon. (In the lower canyon, you'll see Tiger Whiptails.) In the upper canyon are three others: Canyon Spotted Whiptails and the Sonoran and Gila Spotted Whiptails. (If you are thinking: "they look alike to me", you are not alone. I am happy to identify them as whiptails and leave the particulars to the experts, like David Lazaroff and Larry Jones.) The cool thing about the Sonoran and Gila Spotted Whiptails (beside being indistinguishable; even the experts quibble as they count scales) is that they are all females. They reproduce by parthenogenesis; all are clones of the mother, no men or boys allowed. 

Eastern Collared Lizard

The Eastern Collared Lizard is great one to see in the upper canyon. Join Ned, Fred, and Anne (substituting for Carol T) on Wednesday, 4/27/11 for the final 'Nature Walk with Ned' this season. Ned will take us up the Esperero trail to the Rattlesnake trail in search of Eastern Collared Lizards. We'll start at 0830 in front of the visitor and will likely be back around noon. Bring water : - )