Adult, 400′, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
ISLA ANGEL DE LA GUARDA COLLARED LIZARD
Crotaphytus insularis – Van Denburgh & Slevin 1921
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
This species is found only on Isla Angel de la Guarda, a large island off the coast of Baja California Norte in the Gulf of California, Mexico.
HABITAT:
Rocky arroyo habitat, Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
NATURAL HISTORY:
This species is saxicolous and is most often observed perched on rocks and rock outcrops. Male and female Crotaphytus insularis display their breeding coloration in April and early May, and lay eggs from June through September. Smaller lizards are a large part of the diet of Crotaphytus insularis, but insects and even some plant material are also consumed. This species will bask during the heat of the day in temperatures that are too extreme for other lizards. When frightened, collared lizards have the ability to run on their hind legs (bipedal motion) for short distances.
TAXONOMY:
In the C. bicinctores species group, it is related to C. bicinctores, C. grismeri and C. vestigium.
TYPE:
Described as Crotaphytus insularis by J. Van Denburgh and J. L. Slevin (1921). Holotype: CAS 49151. Type locality: East coast of Angel de la Guarda Island 7 mi N of Pond Island, Gulf of California (Baja California), Mexico.
PERSONAL NOTES:
I found this species in June, 2002 in an arroyo on the west side of Isla Angel de la Guarda. It was basking on large volcanic rocks during the mid-day heat. Other species observed in the arroyo were Sauromalus hispidus, Callisaurus draconoides splendidus, Aspidoscelis tigris disparilis, Uta stansburiana and Crotalus angelensis.
CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is in no need of special protection.
REFERENCES: