A blue spiny lizard with rough, patterned scales resting on a rock. — Photo: Ltshears, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Blue Spiny Lizard

Sceloporus cyanogenys

A rough-scaled lizard of Texas and Mexico whose males have bright blue sides, throats and bellies.

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About the Blue Spiny Lizard

Blue spiny lizards live in the deserts of Texas and Mexico, especially in boulder fields. They are active during the day and are carnivores that hunt small animals such as insects.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Sceloporus cyanogenys^[1]
Diet: Carnivore.^[1]
Habitat: Desert, especially boulder fields.^[1]
Where it lives: Texas and Mexico.^[1]
Group life: Active during the day.^[1]

Fun facts

Only male blue spiny lizards have the bright blue patches.^[1]
They like to live among boulders.^[1]

Vocabulary

sexually dimorphic: Having males and females that look different.
keeled scale: A scale with a ridge down the middle that feels rough or spiny.
diurnal: Active mainly during the day.
carnivore: An animal that eats mostly meat.
cold-blooded: Having a body temperature that changes with the surroundings; also called ectothermic.

See it in person

Oakland ZooOakland, California · Reptile and Amphibian Discovery RoomSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Oakland Zoo. “Blue Spiny Lizard.” https://www.oaklandzoo.org/animals/blue-spiny-lizard/ (accessed 2026-10-02)

Facts last checked 2026-10-02.

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