About Sceloporus orcutti Stejneger, 1893
The granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti Stejneger, 1893) has a snout-to-vent length (SVL) ranging from 7.6–10.8 cm (3.0–4.3 in), and its maximum total length including the tail reaches 28.9 cm (11.4 in). Its dorsal scales across the body and tail are strongly keeled and pointed, and the species has a wide purple mid-dorsal stripe. Males of the species have yellow-green scales with blue centers on their bodies, while juveniles and females have distinct yellow-tan transverse bands across both their body and tail. Additionally, males have deep-blue ventral patches on the chest and throat, as well as femoral pores. S. orcutti is native to southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. This colorful species can be seen perched on top of boulders even from a considerable distance, and it is primarily found living on rocky hillsides and outcrops. S. orcutti reproduces by laying eggs, meaning it is oviparous.
