Sceloporus variabilis

Sceloporus variabilis, commonly known as the rose-bellied lizard, is a species of lizard which is found from Central America to southern Texas

Sceloporus variabilis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Phrynosomatidae
Genus:	Sceloporus
Species:	S. variabilis
Binomial name
Sceloporus variabilis Wiegmann, 1834
Synonyms
Sceloporus variabilis Wiegmann, 1834 Tropidolepis variabilis — A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1837 Sceloporus variabilis — Boulenger, 1885[2]

Geographic range

S. variabilis can be found from southern Texas to northern Costa Rica, often in more arid regions.

Description

S. variabilis is one of the smaller species of the genus Sceloporus. Adults may attain a snout-vent length (SVL) of 54 mm (2.1 in). With unbroken tails, they may reach a maximum total length of 140 mm (5.5 in).^[3]

Dorsally, it is tan or olive, with a double series of dark brown spots. There are two yellowish dorsolateral stripes, one at each side of the back.^[4] Males are darker on the side below the dorsolateral stripe.^[5] Ventrally, it is dirty white or yellowish. Males have a large pink blotch on each side of the belly, which is bordered with dark blue, and they also have a black mark on the axilla.^[4]

The supraoculars are small, and they are bordered medially by a row of small scales, which prevent them from contacting the median head shields. The dorsal scales are keeled, pointed, and spiny. There are 58-69 dorsal scales from the interparietal shield to the base of the tail. A postfemoral pocket is present. Males have 10-14 femoral pores.^[5]