More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Lizards of Zihuatanejo
SUBORDER SAURIA
-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)
-Snakes and Lizards (Order Squamata)
-Whiptails and Tegus (Family Teiidae)
-Whiptails and Ameivas (Subfamily Teiinae)
-Whiptail Lizards (Genus Aspidoscelis)
-Mexican Racerunner (Aspidoscelis guttatus)
Aspidoscelis guttatus, commonly known as the Mexican Racerunner, is endemic to Mexico. It prefers dry and sandy habitats, and can often be found in open areas such as deserts, grasslands, and scrublands. It is an insectivore, feeding mainly on small arthropods such as beetles and grasshoppers. It has a distinct appearance, featuring a yellowish-tan base color covered in dark spots and stripes, with a blueish underside.
Mexican Racerunner
Aspidoscelis guttatus
Diet
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on ants, termites, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, caterpillars, spiders, and other small arthropods.
Occasionally consumes small fruits and other soft plant material.
An active daytime forager that constantly searches through leaf litter, beneath shrubs, and across open ground for prey.
Range
Endemic to western Mexico, occurring along the Pacific slope from Jalisco through Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, and into western Oaxaca.
Common in suitable habitat throughout the Zihuatanejo region.
Found primarily at low to moderate elevations, from sea level to about 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
Habitat
Inhabits tropical dry forests, thorn scrub, coastal scrub, secondary forest, woodland edges, rocky slopes, and open clearings.
Prefers warm, sunny habitats with sandy or rocky soils, abundant leaf litter, fallen logs, and scattered shrubs.
Most active during the warmest hours of the day, retreating beneath rocks, logs, or into burrows when disturbed.
Size
Total length: 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in)
Snout-to-vent length (SVL): 6–9 cm (2.4–3.5 in)
Weight: 10–35 g