On a recent trip to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 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 day, as I should have brought a tripod with me for the "May Flower" project that I am working on. 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.
Categories: [Canon 30D] [Portfolio] [Reptiles]
Tags: arizona desert_museum lizard purple-backed_spiny_lizard sceloporus_magister_magister tucson
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