‘New’ spiny lizard discovered in Mexico

It is called Sceloporus geminus and is a new species of spiny lizard. Found in the Sierra Madre Oriental, Mexico, in an area still partly unexplored, it is distinguished by the color of the scales at the base of the head. Also bright are the colors of the belly, through which the males reveal their physical strength and competitive ability.

The female does not lay eggs, which are not very resistant to low temperatures, but gives birth to already formed young. Identification of the new reptile was made possible by comparison with 160 specimens of other species of the genus Sceloporus preserved in 15 different museums.