Desert Iguana
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Desert Iguana
Reptile
A pale, heat-loving lizard of North American deserts that stays active in temperatures which would drive most reptiles into the shade, often sheltering in burrows dug by other animals.
Name Story
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
means “The thirst-lizard with a crested back”
What does its name mean?
- Dipsosaurus — thirst lizardGreek dipsa 'thirst' + sauros 'lizard'
- dorsalis — of the backLatin dorsum 'back'
This lizard happily stays out in the baking desert sun when other animals hide away — a 'thirst lizard' at home in dry places — and a neat row of raised scales runs in a crest down its back.