A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Sceloporus olivaceus
They are 7.5-11 inches (19–28 cm) in total length, and are typically grey in color with black, white, or red-brown blotching down the back. Patterns vary greatly by locality, but the colors and pattern typically serve to be adequate camouflage against the bark of trees in its chosen habitat. The underside is usually uniformly light grey in color, but males typically have blue patches on either side of the belly. Their scales have a distinctly spiny texture to them. They have long toes, and sharp claws suited to climbing.
Elm tree in wildlife habitat yard.
Something scrabbled on the tree behind me. Having heard the sound before, I suspected it might be a lizard. An hour or so before, I had seen a caterpillar on this same tree, but before I could get its photo, it fell into the Virginia Creeper growing on the tree's trunk and I couldn't find it. As I turned at the sound and looked up, I happened to glimpse what was probably the same caterpillar, once again at the top of the Virginia Creeper. Apparently the lizard had spotted it too. It paused only briefly to glance at me when I turned, then dashed down the tree, snapped up the caterpillar and dashed back up the tree. I never did get a photo of that caterpillar.
Spotted on May 10, 2014
Submitted on May 15, 2014
No Comments