6 Year Anniversary!

When I started #FindThatLizard in 2018, I never imagined we’d still be going strong so many years later. During this time you’ve watched me grow as a grad student, graduate, sink into a bout of depression, claw my way out, and secure a job in my field. In fact near graduation, I thought I’d end the game but I could see how meaningful it was to so many of you so I keep it going.

I know you aren’t supposed to share your birthday wish but I wish that sometime in the near future, my art and other entrepreneurial endeavors will 100% support me to be able to travel to exotic places and take photos of lizards all over the world for these challenges to share with you all!

Now without further ado this week’s challenge!

You’ll be searching for a juvenile side-blotched lizard, Uta stansburiana.

The side-blotched lizard is aptly named after the inky dark patch right behind its front legs. They can be found in the western United States and throughout north/north-west Mexico. They especially like hanging out on rocks or near rocky outcrops and will often dart into a crevice or into a push when confronted with a predator.

Males of this species fall into three color morphs where orange males are more aggressive and defend larger territories, yellow males sneak females away from orange males, and blue males cooperatively guard small groups of females. This kind of sexual dimorphism (when males and females of a species look different from each other) is called male-biased sexual size dimorphism. For females they may also vary in size where larger females may be able to carry more eggs and successfully reproduce (fecundity) however they need more resources to survive. It’s a trade off.

However the trade offs result in the juvenile side-blotched lizard you’re searching for below.

Can you #FindThatLizard?!

Let me know in the comments with #FoundThatLizard!