Fun Blue Spiny Lizard Facts For Kids

The spiny blue lizards have the binomial name of Sceloporus serrifer, and the conservation status of Least Concern. The longest blue spiny lizard is the Sceloporus serrifer (cyanogenys) which grows up to the range of 14-15 in (35-38 cm) in length. As insectivores, their diet includes insects and worms. They are active during the day as diurnal animals. They are found mostly in hot and dry areas of Texas, Guatemala, Mexico, and America.

Since these reptiles live in warm temperatures and have a harsh habitat, they will struggle to survive in humid or cold temperatures, so they are kept in a wooden vivarium as they can meet the temperature they require.

To find out more interesting facts and information about other animals. You can also check our guides on the sagebrush lizard and Shingleback lizard for more enriching and mind-blowing facts and guides.
 

What type of animal is a blue spiny lizard?

The blue spiny lizards (Sceloporus serrifer) are species of reptiles belonging to the Sceloporus family. These lizards have grayish-brown colors with white spots on the head. They can grow up to 15 in (38 cm) in length. Their diet includes insects, insects like crickets, locusts, and worms. Their conservation status is of Least Concern as they are found largely in the wild and are also kept captive. They are active during the day in hunting their prey, with a diet that includes insects like crickets, locusts, and worms.

What class of animal does a blue spiny lizard belong to?

The blue spiny lizard belongs to the class Reptilia, and they are insectivores that live under huge boulders. They are from the species of the fast Sceloporus lizard family.

How many blue spiny lizards are there in the world?

The population of the blue spiny lizards is unknown, but their conservation status is of Least Concern which means the blue spiny lizard population is quite good in terms of numbers. They are also bred in captivity in a zoo or even kept as pets.

Where does a blue spiny lizard live?

The spiny blue lizards live mostly in deserts and under rocks and boulders in Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala.

What is a blue spiny lizard's habitat?

Blue spiny lizards, Sceloporus serrifer, are found in numbers, especially in the boulders near Falcon Dam (north Texas) and then northward in the rocky, dusty border country area of Del Rio in Texas. Besides its preferred habitat of boulder fields and rocky regions of Texas, Guatemala, and northern Mexico, this lizard can be found in abandoned buildings, bridge abutments, and places where lots of insects and worms can be found.

Who do blue spiny lizards live with?

Blue spiny lizards mainly prefer to live on their own and hibernate alone in winter though many other lizard species will prefer to hibernate in groups.

How long does a blue spiny lizard live?

The lifespan of blue spiny lizards differs depending on whether they live in deserts or are domesticated. The wild ones have a shorter lifespan even though they are well accustomed to the wild and hostile conditions as they have to face the predators, whereas the captive ones are safe and taken extensive care of and can live up to seven years.

How do they reproduce?

Breeding of the spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) normally happens in the wild and in captivity. During mating season in the wild, the males show their blue bellies and throats to attract the females. During this season, the males don't get along and bob their heads or often lie flat, showing their belly to drive their rivals away. Females normally give birth to young spiny lizards instead of laying eggs, that range from 4-24 young lizards.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the blue spiny lizard is of Least Concern as they are found abundantly in the wild and are bred in a zoo or even kept as pets.

What do blue spiny lizards look like?

The blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus) or the Sceloporus serrifer is a species of reptiles with long tails that get bigger than their body. The males of this species have a blue chin, throat, and white belly, while their backs are bluish-green. Their back has scales with sharp spines, which are used as a defense mechanism against their enemies. They range from 14-15 in (35-38 cm) in length, where the length of their tail itself is around 8 in (20 cm) long. Females give birth to young spiny lizards instead of laying eggs, a feature seen rarely in reptiles.

How cute are they?

As most people keep them as pets, they might be seen as cute.

How do they communicate?

When you notice a spiny lizard, you will see how they bob their head up and down and may show their flattened body or glowing belly to scare rivals away. During mating season, the males show their blue bellies and throats to attract the females.

How big is a blue spiny lizard?

The spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) ranges from 14-15 in (35-38 cm) in length. Their height is not known. They are about three times bigger than a common house gecko.

How fast can a blue spiny lizard move?

The spiny lizard moves at lightning speed, just like most of the lizards in the Sceloporus species do, to catch hold of insects and flee from their predators and other threats.

How much does a blue spiny lizard weigh?

The blue spiny lizards range from 3-7 oz (90-200 g) in weight. They are quite lightweight.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and the female of the species do not have any specific names.

What would you call a baby blue spiny lizard?

In general terms, the babies of the blue spiny lizards are called juvenile spiny lizards.

What do they eat?

The blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) are insectivores that camouflage as rocks to prey on insects. They feed on a variety of bugs, including crickets, locusts, and mealworms, among other insects. They are diurnal, and their nature makes them active during the day.

Are they poisonous?

Blue spiny lizards bite when they are threatened, and their bites are painful but not poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

Yes, the blue spiny lizards will make good pets as they adapt well to captivity and eat a diet of readily available insects. They normally live in a hot and harsh habitat; therefore, they should be kept in warm temperatures. Their conservation status is of Least Concern, so they can be easily kept as pets.

Did you know...

These spiny lizards hate the smell of eggshells, naphthalene balls, coffee, and tobacco. The things distract and ultimately repel the lizards.

People often use a lizard-catching lasso to catch a blue belly lizard without causing any problems.

Do spiny lizards bite?

The blue spiny lizard Sceloporus bites if they feel threatened as it is their defense mechanism, just like most other reptiles. Their bites are not at all poisonous but quite painful indeed.

Are Texas spiny lizards dangerous?

The Texas spiny lizards are not dangerous and won't chase or bite unless threatened, but they sure do have a pretty bad temper, and so you need to handle them with care.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles from our gopher tortoise facts and Lazarus lizard facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable blue spiny lizard coloring pages.