Purple-backed Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister magister)
I thought this might be a nice break from the “May Flower” theme going on in the news this month. On my recent trip to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum last Sunday, I spotted this lizard outside near the parking lot. It wasn’t part of any exhibit mind you, just one of the many typical things you see in the desert. Sadly, this was my “keeper” shot for the entire day, as I should have brought a tripod with me for the “May Flower” project that I’ve been working on. Click for a larger version.
These lizards are generally active from April through October. They take shelter during excessive heat and cold periods. They’re good climbers, often seen on rocks, trees and walls, as well as on the ground. They take shelter under rocks, logs and other surface they can go under. Males stand tall and extend the throat to expose the blue coloring in order to announce/claim their territory, as seen in this shot.








