Granite spiny lizard

The granite spiny lizard (Sceloporus orcutti) is a species of lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae.

Etymology
The epithet, orcutti, honors American naturalist Charles Russell Orcutt (1864–1929), who collected the type specimen in San Diego County, California.

Geographic range
S. orcutti is native to southern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico.

Description
The granite spiny lizard is 7.6 - 10.8 cm snout-to-vent length (SVL). Maximum total length including the tail is 28.9 cm. Its dorsal scales are strongly keeled and pointed on its body and tail. It has a wide purple mid-dorsal stripe. The males of the species have yellow-green and blue-centered scales on the body; juveniles and females have distinct yellow-tan transverse bands on their body and tail. Additionally, the male has deep-blue ventral patches on its chest and throat and femoral pores.

Behavior and habitat
The granite spiny lizard is a colorful species that can be observed perched atop boulders from considerable distance. This species is primarily associated with rocky hillsides and outcrops.

Reproduction
S. orcutti is oviparous.