The western long-tailed brush lizard (Urosaurus graciosus) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico.
U. graciosus occurs in the Mojave Desert and the northwestern Sonoran Desert in the U.S. states of California, Arizona and Nevada, and in the Mexican states of Baja California and Sonora.
This species received its common name, long-tailed brush lizard, due to its tail, which is more than twice the body length, and due to its almost always being encountered on a tree or shrub.
The long-tailed brush lizard's gray or tan coloration keeps it well camouflaged against branches while it waits for insects. Unlike most other phrynosomatid lizards, which bury in the sand at night during warm weather, U. graciosus spends the night on the tips of branches.
U. graciosus is distinguishable from its close relative the tree lizard, Urosaurus ornatus, by the presence of a tail more than two times its snout-vent length and the absence of a series of smaller scales running down the middle of the band of enlarged dorsal scales. U. graciosus is distinguishable from the black-tailed brush lizard, Urosaurus nigricauda, by the presence of a tail more than two times its snout-vent length and relatively large dorsal scales transitioning abruptly into granular lateral scales (in U. nigricauda, the dorsal scales are only slightly enlarged and transition gradually into the granular lateral scales). It is distinguishable from all other brush lizards (Urosaurus) by geography.
Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, including the nominotypical subspecies.[2]
The subspecific name, shannoni, is in honor of American herpetologist Frederick Albert Shannon.[3]
The western long-tailed brush lizard (Urosaurus graciosus) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to the southwestern United States and adjacent northern Mexico.
La lagartija arbolera de cola larga (Urosaurus graciosus) es una especie de lagarto de la familia Phrynosomatidae.[1] Es endémico del desierto de Mojave, noroeste del desierto de Sonora, y desiertos de California, Arizona, Nevada, Sonora, Baja California.
Es pequeño de color pardo, rojizo o verdoso por encima y blanco por debajo. Es muy ligero y asustadizo. Se alimenta de insectos y vive entre los escombros y los huecos de las paredes. Su cabeza es casi triangular; sus patas son cortas, y sus dedos están provistos de uñas.
En la edad adulta mide de 9 a 14 cm de largo (incluyendo su cola). Los machos son más grandes. Cuenta con cuatro patas: dos delanteras y dos traseras un poco más largas y grandes; cada pata tiene cinco dedos largos que terminan un poco más anchos y le facilitan el poder trepar y asirse a los árboles y a las paredes con gran facilidad.
Clima cálido. Ambiente semi-desértico.
Se reconocen las siguientes subespecies:[1]
La lagartija arbolera de cola larga (Urosaurus graciosus) es una especie de lagarto de la familia Phrynosomatidae. Es endémico del desierto de Mojave, noroeste del desierto de Sonora, y desiertos de California, Arizona, Nevada, Sonora, Baja California.
Urosaurus graciosus Urosaurus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Phrynosomatidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Urosaurus graciosus Urosaurus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Phrynosomatidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Urosaurus graciosus est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Phrynosomatidae[1].
Cette espèce se rencontre[1] :
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (26 février 2013)[2] :
Urosaurus graciosus est une espèce de sauriens de la famille des Phrynosomatidae.
Urosaurus graciosus là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Phrynosomatidae. Loài này được Hallowell mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1854.[1]
Urosaurus graciosus là một loài thằn lằn trong họ Phrynosomatidae. Loài này được Hallowell mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1854.