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Eastern Fence Lizard (Juvenile; mite-infested)

Sceloporus undulatus

Photo by Jack Settle
Published on Project Noah
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37.5455, -89.4394

Field Notes

Description:

This lizard had a red spot on one side of it, but not on the other. I was told that this was most likely from a mite that had buried itself in the lizard. In the first and second pictures, you can see the left side of its head. In the third picture, the right side with the red spot.

Habitat:

On top of some wood at Snake Road in southern Illinois.

Notes:

Sorry for the slightly out-of-focus pictures...

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Jack Settle
Oh ok, thanks! I guess it was just bigger than the other babies we saw.
BrendanSmith
This is another Eastern Fence Lizard like your other spotting. S. undulatus. The only lizard like it in Illinois.
JoeHartman
The red spot shows indeed mites. Many lizards have a concentrated spot where the mites gather. In species here in Thailand they have red spots on their ankles or arm pits. It is believed that it makes it more "bearable" when on one spot, other than over the whole body.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Reptiles of the World
Mission
Hunters & Animal Food Habits
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedOctober 14, 2013

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