Kingdom Animalia Suborder Iguania Genus Holbrookia Higher classification Holbrookia maculata Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Phrynosomatidae Phylum Chordata Rank Subspecies | |
Scientific name Holbrookia maculata perspicua Similar Holbrookia maculata, Holbrookia, Scaled reptiles, Scincella lateralis, Scincella | ||
The prairie earless lizard or eastern earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata perspicua) is a subspecies of the lesser earless lizard, (Holbrookia maculata).
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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.