Fringe-toed lizard

Fringe-toed lizards are lizards of the genus Uma in the family Phrynosomatidae, native to deserts of North America. They are adapted for life in sandy deserts with fringe-like scales on their hind toes hence their common name.

This article is about North American lizards of the genus Uma. For the Old World lizards also known as "fringe-toed lizards", see Acanthodactylus.

Fringe-toed lizard
Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, Uma inornata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Iguania
Family: Phrynosomatidae
Genus: Uma
Baird, 1859[1]

Descriptions

Lizards of the genus Uma have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. The dorsal surface has a velvety texture with intricate markings. In addition, they also have prominent elongated scales which form a fringe on the sides of their hind toes.[2] These fringes aid with traction and speed, and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes.[3]

Fringe-toed lizards also possess upper jaws which overlap the lower ones, preventing the intrusion of sand particles, and nostrils that can be closed at will. Flaps also close against the ear openings when moving through sand, and the upper and lower eyelids have interlocking scales that prevent sand from getting into the eyes.[2]

Geographic range

Fringe-toed lizards range throughout southeast California and southwest Arizona, and extend into northwest Sonora and northeast Baja California.[2]

Habitat

Lizards of the genus Uma are found in low desert areas having fine, loose sand.

Diet

Fringe-toed lizards primarily eat insects, including ants, beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars. Flower buds, stems, leaves and seeds of plants are also eaten.[2]

Behavior

Lizards of the genus Uma bury themselves underground in the winter. They sleep in their burrows, and use their burrows for protection from predators and extreme temperatures.

Species

See also
  • Meroles, a genus of African lizards with morphological and ecological similarities
  • Xerocoles, animals adapted to desert environments

References
  1. "Uma ". Wikispecies
  2. Stebbins, Robert C. (2003). A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin. pp. 280–282. ISBN 0395982723.
  3. Carothers JH (1986). "An experimental confirmation of morphological adaptation: toe fringes in the sand-dwelling lizard Uma scoparia". Evolution. 40 (4): 871–874. doi:10.2307/2408475. JSTOR 2408475.
  4. "Uma ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
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