Holbrookia maculata perspicua
Encyclopedia
The prairie earless lizard or eastern earless lizard (Holbrookia maculata perspicua) is a subspecies
of the lesser earless lizard, (Holbrookia maculata
).
s of the central United States
from South Dakota
in the north, as far south as Texas
.
s, they have no external ear
openings. As their range overlaps with other subspecies of H. maculata, distinguishing them can be difficult.
and insectivorous
. They are often seen basking themselves on rocks, but will flee quickly if approached.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the lesser earless lizard, (Holbrookia maculata
Holbrookia maculata
The lesser earless lizard is a species of phrynosomid lizard endemic to the southwestern and central United States and northern Mexico.-Geographic range:...
).
Geographic range
Holbrookia maculata perspicua is endemic to the prairiePrairie
Prairies are considered part of the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome by ecologists, based on similar temperate climates, moderate rainfall, and grasses, herbs, and shrubs, rather than trees, as the dominant vegetation type...
s of the central United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
in the north, as far south as Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
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 lizardEarless lizard
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...
s, they have no external ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
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 diurnalDiurnal animal
Diurnality is a plant or animal behavior characterized by activity during the day and sleeping at night.-In animals:Animals that are not diurnal might be nocturnal or crepuscular . Many animal species are diurnal, including many mammals, insects, reptiles and birds...
and insectivorous
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
. They are often seen basking themselves on rocks, but will flee quickly if approached.