Crotaphytus dickersonae
Schmidt, 1922
Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico. August 19, 2017.
While known from Isla Tiburón, just off the coast, these lizards can also be found on the mainland across from the island. Near the highway, our group spread out and scrambled among the volcanic scree in search of these colorful crotaphytids. Gerrit, one of our more nimble companions, spotted one about halfway up a steep slope, and the rest of us carefully picked our way up and over. This gorgeous female warily watched us as we snapped photos and did our best not to slide down the hill, and we were even able to get her in hand for a few minutes of close inspection. During the breeding season, the males wear spectacular shades of blue, but none were out and about that day.
This species is named for Mary C. Dickerson, an American herpetologist and the first curator of herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History.
My Flickr album for this species is here.
HerpMapper records for this species are here.
