Rose-Bellied Lizard (Sceloporus variabilis)

Adult Size: 3¾" to 5½"

Description: Small spiny lizard with pocketlike indentation in the tail behind the leg. Coloration is light tan to greenish brown; light dorsolateral stripe, line a dark spots down each side of the midline. Pink patches on the underside with bolue border extending up to form a blue spot behind the foreleg.

Habitat: Arid regions, from sea level to 7,500 feet. Frequents mesquite branches, cacti, and, less often, rocks.

Breeding: Mating and egg-laying throughout the year. One to five eggs are laid near the base of a small tree, under rotting logs, in the earth, or in dry humus.

Range: Extreme south-central Texas to Costa Rica.

Diet: Large crawling insects like roaches, beetles and other bugs. It also like grasshoppers.

Behavior: Diurnal. This species can be seen foraging in the leaf litter for prey.

Video

Conservation Status:

Additonal Notes:

Subspecies: At least 4 with only 1 in our range.

Texas Rose-Bellied Lizard (S.v. marmoratus) - more than 59 dorsal scales, the female has a light unmarked underside. Found in southern Texas into Mexico. Photo...