Bocourt's emerald lizard
A species of Spiny lizards Scientific name : Sceloporus smaragdinus Genus : Spiny lizards
Bocourt's emerald lizard, A species of Spiny lizards
Scientific name: Sceloporus smaragdinus
Genus: Spiny lizards
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Fernando Larrazabal , used under CC BY-SA 4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
Bocourt's emerald lizard exhibits diurnal behavior, making itself highly active during the day. It favours sunny spaces where it can bask, as it primarily thermoregulates through the environment. This species displays a fascinating territorial rivalry, particularly in the males who fiercely defend their territory against other males. Ecologically, this creature plays a role in controlling insect populations, its primary food source.
General Info
Lifespan
2-6 years
Diet
Bocourt's emerald lizard is essentially insectivorous, having a strong dietary preference for arthropods. Spiders and beetles tend to form a significant part of its diet, reflecting its opportunistic feeding behavior.
Appearance
Bocourt's emerald lizard is a medium-sized lizard with a robust body and rough, scaled skin. Dominantly, they are green, but the hue can vary throughout their body, often exhibiting a jeweled, emerald-like sheen. Their backs showcase a checkered pattern of white spots. Juveniles exhibit brighter colors, especially males who, upon maturity, develop striking cobalt blue patches on their throats and bellies.
Behavior
Bocourt's emerald lizard is largely solitary, often seen basking on rocks during the day. The species is known for its distinctive push-up display, a territorial behavior usually initiated in response to an intruder. They have a highly adapted pursuit-deterrent strategy, involving erratic running and then freezing, to escape predators.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Reptiles Order
Lizards and snakes Family
North american spiny lizards Genus
Spiny lizards Species
Bocourt's emerald lizard 
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