Holbrookia maculata perspicua
| prairie earless lizard | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Phrynosomatidae |
| Genus: | Holbrookia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | H. m. perspicua
|
| Trinomial name | |
| Holbrookia maculata perspicua , 1956
| |
The prairie earless lizard or eastern earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata perspicua) is a subspecies of the lesser earless lizard, (Holbrookia maculata).
Geographic range[]
Holbrookia maculata perspicua is endemic to the prairies of the central United States from South Dakota in the north, as far south as Texas.
Description[]
The prairie earless lizard is an overall gray-brown in color, with rows of dark blotches on either side of the back, with a light colored stripe down the middle. The males have black and white diagonal markings just before their hind legs, which typically females lack. They grow from 4.5 to 6 inches in length, and like all earless lizards, they have no external ear openings. As their range overlaps with other subspecies of H. maculata, distinguishing them can be difficult.
Behavior[]
Like all earless lizards, the prairie earless lizard is diurnal and insectivorous. They are often seen basking themselves on rocks, but will flee quickly if approached.
References[]
- Species Holbrookia maculata at The Reptile Database
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- Holbrookia
- Fauna of the Plains-Midwest (United States)
- Lizard stubs