[if i happen to be incorrect in my identification, PLEASE correct me. i don’t mind being wrong once, but don’t like being wrong more than once & don’t want to make the same mis-identification a second time – i simply hate giving others misinformation.]
Had been meaning to respond sooner, but my memory is not too good for these kinds of things (quite absent-minded am i).
Perhaps all of you out West already know what kind of lizard was in Carol’s photo in her Canyon Trip report article in a recent BPL OnLine Mag issue?
However, just in case: 1) it was NOT a somewhat (from her perspective at least) rhetorical question on her part, i.e. that she already knew the ans. & was quizzing readers about a well known western lizard, & 2) no one else has responded in case she didn’t really know the ans.
My best guess, …it’s been a long time since Herpetology class – my Prof., Dr. A, happened to specialize in Iguanas & Western American Lizards, (since size wasn’t mentioned – was it 5″-6″ long head+body & a 8″-12″ long tail??? – typ. adult size) is…
…that it is a “Leopard Lizard” due to the spotted pigmentation on the skin & the geographical area in which it was located, plus the nearby vegetation (though this feature is helpful it is by no means definitive). They don’t make good pets & often try to bite when captured or when attempting to handle.
Would you please pass this info along to her.
Many thanks,
pj
