Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Order Squamata | Phylum Chordata Class Reptilia Suborder Sauria | |
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Representative species Greater earless lizard, Holbrookia maculata, Holbrookia lacerata, Holbrookia propinqua, Holbrookia subcaudalis | ||
Earless lizards are two genera of small lizards native to the semi-arid and grassland habitats of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The genus Cophosaurus and the genus Holbrookia are both characterized by having no external ear openings, presumably to prevent sand from entering the body as they dig.
Contents
- 4k cc tame lesser earless lizard catching amazing pet reptiles az ca nv ut usa herping hd
- Defense mechanism
- Geographic range
- References
4k cc tame lesser earless lizard catching amazing pet reptiles az ca nv ut usa herping hd
Defense mechanism
Earless lizards have a peculiar defense mechanism which is coupled to their cold-blooded life style. They have a small opening on the top of their head called a 'blood sinus' which helps the lizard to gain heat quickly during daytime. However the blood can also be channelized to the eyes of the lizard when a predator looms close by, efficiently spitting the blood onto the predator giving it enough time to escape.
Geographic range
Earless lizards are found from the southwestern and central United States, in the states of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and as far north as Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming. They are also found in Mexico, in the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas and Veracruz.
