Baja blue rock lizards are found only on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. As their name suggests, they prefer rocky habitats but also live in forested areas.
The life of a Baja blue rock lizard
The Baja blue rock lizard can grow up to 18 inches in length and live to be about 20 years old.
Baja blue rock lizards are most active during the day and are often seen basking in sunshine, even in hot weather. They eat insects and other smaller lizards as well as flowers, leaves, small fruits and seeds.
These lizards are dormant in the winter and mate in the spring. Males perform a push-up motion for females to display strength and attract a mate. Females lay 20 to 30 eggs at a time.
Baja blue rock lizards face a variety of predators including birds of prey like hawks, ravens and roadrunners as well as snakes and other larger reptiles, and sometimes mammals like cats and dogs. These crafty lizards use camouflage to blend in with their surroundings. If they are spotted, they avoid predators by escaping into rock cracks and crevices. They can also drop their entire tail to distract a predator and escape. Then they grow a new tail, which can be dropped again if necessary.
Baja blue rock lizards at the zoo
Located in the Africa area.
