BAJA CALIFORNIA COLLARED LIZARD
Crotaphytus vestigium – Smith & Tanner 1972
IDENTIFICATION:
DISTRIBUTION:
This species is found from the US border south to at least San Jose Comondu, Baja California Sur. Largely this distribution lies to the east of the Sierra de Juarez and Sierra San Pedro Martir but it also occurs in a narrow band of the pacific San Pedro Martir foothills from Mesa San Carlos to Arroyo San Antonio (Rancho San Jose). An apparently isolated pacific population occurs on Tecate Peak, on the US/Mexico border. Along the Gulf of California coast, C. vestigium occurs as far south as Bahia Concepcion; seemingly suitable habitat extends south of this point but strangely, no Crotaphytus have ever been found there.
HABITAT:
C. vestigium occurs in a variety of habitats with a common denominator: rock. It is occasionally found foraging on the open earth in the vicinity of rock structure, but retreats to it when threatened.
Rocky oceanside habitat, Baja California Sur, Mexico
NATURAL HISTORY:
This species is saxicolous and is most often observed perched on rocks and rock outcrops. Male and female Crotaphytus vestigium display their breeding coloration in April and early May. Smaller lizards are a large part of the diet of Crotaphytus vestigium, but it is also insectivorous. 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. insularis, and C. grismeri.
TYPE:
Described as Crotaphytus insularis vestigium by H. M. Smith and W. W. Tanner (1972). Holotype: BYU 23338. Type locality: Guadalupe Canyon, Juarez Mountains, Baja California, Mexico.
PERSONAL NOTES:
In Baja California Sur, I found this lizard basking on rocks along Hwy 1 just west of San Ignacio (June, 2002).
CONSERVATION STATUS:
This species is abundant, widespread and in no need of protection.
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