Greater Earless Lizard
Cophosaurus texanus
Body
length: 1 7/8 - 3"
Diet: Insects
Many of the small, agile lizards seen along the Lower
Cliff Dwelling trail are greater earless lizards. In springtime, males become
very colorful and prominent, sitting on rock perches with their heads held high.
Earless lizards are very energetic - when alarmed, they run in short bursts, pausing
(like zebratail lizards) to wave their black-and-white
striped tails. The two species are difficult to distinguish, but in zebratails
the belly-marks are located at mid-body, and in greater earless lizards they are
located just in front of the hind legs.
How do earless lizards manage without ears? They don't. Earless lizards in fact
do have ears, but no external ear openings. It is believed that the lack of these
openings may allow easier burrowing in sandy habitat.
NPS
Home | Tonto Home | Expanded
Home | Nature
| Culture | Visit
| Virtual
Tours |
Education | Bookstore
| Park Info | Index
Updated
May 8, 2005