June 20, 2020

Observation of the Day

Today's observation needs an ID confirmation! Want to help? Do you recognize this lizard species?
www.inaturalist.org/observations/50226390

It was suggested to be a sagebrush lizard. However, the sagebrush lizard looks very similar to the western fence lizard so which one do you think our observer found?

Both lizards are common lizards found in high elevations in the western US. No surprise it was observed laying on a rock right here in Flagstaff.

Do you know why lizards lay on rocks? Lizards are ectothermic animals, which means that they cannot produce their own body heat. So they bask in the sun to increase their internal body temperature. They position their body to soak up maximum sunlight, spreading themselves to create more surface area.

Next time you see a lizard on a rock, take a picture of it and add it to our iNaturalist challenge. Jon the challenge here: www.inaturalist.org/projects/willow-bend-nature-challenge





Posted on June 20, 2020 05:09 PM by moranhenn moranhenn | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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