ARIZONA'S ORIGINAL SUNBATHERS

BY CHARLES FRANKLIN PARKER PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARVIN H. FROST The lizards of America appear to have established the pattern of modern migration. The little sun-seekers long ago found the warm cloudless days of the Southwest a haven of joy. They may have given the siesta to the Spaniards. Certainly they are the sun-bathers extraordinary.

Lying out in the sun on a rock in perfect peace and quiet, the little lizard is the picture of envy to any human being wanting to relax and drink up the healthy rays of ol' Sol. And if there is need of waist line reduction the little iguana gives a good demonstration of the needed exercise to be followed by other sun-bathers. Watch him as he does his daily dozen in perfect rhythm, lifting and lowering his body with his fore legs, then again quietly relaxing for another nap in the sun.

Of the 127 endemic species of lizard (Sauria and Lacertilia) found in the United States and Canada, 48 are known to inhabit Arizona. Only California can lay claim to a greater influx of the lizard family-51 species-and thegreat state of Texas must be satisfied with third place with two fewer than Arizona. The lizards had made the great Southwest their favorite locale long before the myriads of men and women discovered how pleasant it could be to spend a lifetime living under the sun in the great out-ofdoors. These little cold blooded creatures, lacking a means of independently maintaining a constant body temperature, found the long warm days immensely to their liking. They long ago deserted climes of snow and cold (if they ever lived under such conditions) for the sunnier side of life.

great state of Texas must be satisfied with third place with two fewer than Arizona. The lizards had made the great Southwest their favorite locale long before the myriads of men and women discovered how pleasant it could be to spend a lifetime living under the sun in the great out-ofdoors. These little cold blooded creatures, lacking a means of independently maintaining a constant body temperature, found the long warm days immensely to their liking. They long ago deserted climes of snow and cold (if they ever lived under such conditions) for the sunnier side of life.

Lizards, I have rather recently discovered, are very interesting little creatures. They are clean, curious, shyly friendly and sometimes I think portray a rare sense of humor and like to play games with the big clumsy human who moves, not too disturbingly, through their habitat. Many of these smaller species are exceedingly amusing as they dart here and there, pausing to glance or stare at the intruder. They are cunning, graceful and fast. The variety of body coloring and markings leads one to an engrossing interest.

Best of all, they are harmless; only one species out of the 48 found in Arizona is venomous. This one is the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), which is a somewhat larger species with a strikingly marked beadwork design of brown or black upon yellow to salmon or orange background. However, while it is to be left alone it is not likely to be dangerous if not disturbed. It is rather slow and cumbersome in movement and once identified will not be mistaken for any other of the lizard family. The Gila monster is classified by Arizona law as a protected animal and may not be hunted, captured, killed, sold, offered for sale, given or exchanged except by written permission of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, State Capitol, Phoenix, Ariz. In zoological classification lizards are of the class reptilia, of the phylum vertebrate of the animal kingdom. The class reptilia includes also the snakes. This class is located between the lower amphibians (frogs, etc.) and the aves (birds). But actually there is a shadow land between reptiles and birds and even mammals, and the lizards exist within this area that is between them all and yet in a sense relates or connects them all. Some lizards lay their eggs in nests like birds. Others, like the higher mammals, carry their

young and give birth to them. Some of the eggs are hard shelled like bird shells, while still others are quite like the soft eggs of insects.

The teeth of lizards (one of the marked characteristics of distinction) are arranged in a single row about the edges of the jaw. They are not so much for chewing food as for catching prey. Their food habits vary. Some eat only herbs, most of them eat insects, others are omnivorous, and still others are mainly carnivorous, even eating their own kinds.

Lizards are diurnal, they sleep nights in holes or crevices and some burrow and thus bury themselves. This, along with the body coloring, since many blend almost identically with the surroundings of their habitat, and speed are the characteristic protective devices of the sauria.

While most vertebrates have well defined skeletal structures, a bony structure to support the body, the lizards have not only this but many of them have an exterior skeletal formation as well. Lizards are unique in this matter of what scientists call both the endo (inner) and exo (outer) skeletal construction. The head, like other vertebrates, is enclosed in a hard bony structure and from it extend the vertebrae to the very tip of the tail. From the vertebrae extend the ribs, which form on the lower side a functional cartilage or floating breast plate within which are enclosed the bodily organs. They are replete with well formed pelvicgirdles and four much-used legs. In some the exo skeleton is easily seen. The Gila monster's beaded exterior is a definite outer skeletal covering of hard bead-like osteoderms that give both semi-rigidness and protection to the body. The little horned lizard (toad to you) also displays this bony structure of the exo skeleton in the “horns” about the head and neck.

Lizards inhabit almost every part of Arizona. The 48 species extend over the entire terrain of desert, plains and mountains. By far the most of them are of the iguanidae family, and thus are either herbivorous or insectivorous. Most of them are land dwellers, though a few inhabit trees. All except the horned or rough-scaled ones lay eggs, these others carry their young to birth. The “bobbing” habit of raising and lowering their bodies with the fore feet is definitely characteristic of the iguanidae.

In these pages we can introduce you to only a few of the most likely to be seen or those of unusual characteristics. We will say no more about the Gila monster other than that he is a desert dweller and that it is decidedly best to view him from some distance, though his sluggish gait would permit easy escape from him. Curious children should be warned about him. The chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) is one of the most interesting of the larger lizards. It inhabits the southwest-ern one-third of Arizona extending its habitat all along the Colorado River up into the reaches of the Grand Canyon. It is about 16 inches in length, including the long, rounded tail which is about equal in length to the body proper. It lives in rocky areas, taking refuge in crevices when frightened and for sleeping purposes. The chuckwalla has a tough, irregular skin, grey in color, simulating the rocks of its environs. It is recognized for its ability to bite when cornered. However, its most unusual characteristic is its developed propensity to inflate its body in order to wedge itself into crevices and as a protection against its enemies. This inflationary ability marks this lizard as one of the most unusual in Arizona. Incidentally the chuckwalla is hunted by the Indians, and is eaten by them as a great delicacy.

The collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris Bailey) is probably the "best dressed" of all those inhabiting Arizona. This slim, jaunty little fellow whose body is about four inches long and carrying a tail almost twice this length is found in the higher elevations of the state including the Painted Desert. It is striking in its appearance of pale yellow or orange, with darker splotches scattered over the body surface, but its true aristocracy is gained from its intelligent and haughty bearing and the dark double collar about its neck. Sometimes in running over flat surfaces the collared lizard simulates the kangaroo running on its hind legs, giving the appearance of a small dinosaur. It may vary in intensity of color, but the distinct bands or collars are the ever positive badge of identification. It can and will bite if caught.

The western spotted racerunner (Cnemidophorus guloris octolineatus) is found in many parts of Arizona and is most likely to be seen by most people. This ground dwelling lizard inhabits canyon floors, foothills and desert mountain sides. It is little alarmed by human beings and will go about its food gathering while being watched. It is a long, thin, striped bodied little fellow with a trailing train-like tail often more than twice the length of the body. The distinct stripes are a positive identification, with small spots mingled among the stripes. It is exceedingly curious and is a speedy racer.

The variegated ground or banded gecko (Coleonyx variegatus) abounds in all of Arizona except the northeastern corner. It is a delicate small yellowish-colored lizard covered with brown blotches and with five alternate bands of light and dark-the one around the neck being crescentic in shape reaching upward towards the jaw. While in movement it appears,much lighter in color, no doubt due to the white underneath creating an overall blur of almost chalk grey. Unlike most other lizards the gecko likes to travel atnight and may be seen along the highways in the hours of darkness. Yarrow's scaly lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii jarrovii) is quite generally distributed over southern Arizona. This is a mountain lizard found in altitudes from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. It prefers the boulder-strewn country where grow the oaks and conifers, and within these confines can be found almost anywhere. It can be seen in sunny places and is very conspicuous because of the brilliant bluish black coloring. It is about three and a half inches in length with a long tail often one and a half times as long as the body. This is a scaly lizard and in the adult male the dorsal ground color is black, brilliantly marked with a light spot in the center

night and may be seen along the highways in the hours of darkness. Yarrow's scaly lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii jarrovii) is quite generally distributed over southern Arizona. This is a mountain lizard found in altitudes from 5,000 to 10,000 feet. It prefers the boulder-strewn country where grow the oaks and conifers, and within these confines can be found almost anywhere. It can be seen in sunny places and is very conspicuous because of the brilliant bluish black coloring. It is about three and a half inches in length with a long tail often one and a half times as long as the body. This is a scaly lizard and in the adult male the dorsal ground color is black, brilliantly marked with a light spot in the center of nearly every scale. Generally there is a black collar on the neck and possibly a few light stripes on the side of the head and neck. It lacks timidity and is very curious. In appearance it might well be a miniature replica of a giant, plated denizen out of the long ago. My own favorite is from the horned lizard group. There are at least six different sub-species in Arizona. These are the ones often misnamed "toads." These little fellows are found in all but the most desert places in Arizona. You will find some one of them in almost any part of the state. There is the greatest likelihood that the casual observer however will see either the desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma p. platyrhinos) in western Arizona; the regal horned lizard The (Phrynosoma solare) in southwestern Arizona; or the mountain short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma douglassii hernandesi) throughout all of the plateau region of eastern and central Arizona. A family of the last named permanently resides in my own yard. They are flattened, rather heavy-bodied, short-tailed, spiny-horned little lizards and about as harmless as imaginable. They live in sandy, rocky terrain. Their sand colored, splotched bodies blend with the ground giving them much protection. They are experts at playing "possum" and when endangered are likely to evade their enemies either by freezing or hurriedly burrowing into the soft sand, which they likewise use for hibernation. They give birth to their young, and a mother with her little brood of tiny ones lying on her back out in the Arizona sun is a picture of rare quality. They are truly cuddly little creatures, and if held in your hand and softly stroked on the back will nestle down very quietly. The horned lizard is also protected by the Arizona law that protects the Gila monster and may not be hunted, captured, killed, given or sold.

The lizards are interesting and helpful little reptiles that add to the action, curiosity and pleasantness of the Arizona landscape. They are generally harmless and in insect control are helpful to man's economy. Watch for them! Identify them! Make your days in Arizona more interesting as you come to know another group of Arizona dwellers.

The Arizona Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) is Arizona's only venomous lizard.