Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was out doing (bird) field surveys the other day in sage scrub, and I saw not one but THREE coronatums. One was so tiny it had to have just been born - I know at least that much about these lizards. But also, it was a deep, almost bright red - not brown, not rust, but really RED - the whole thing, not just part of its coloring! Is this common, b/ I've never seen that before?

It also seems like I found the daily herp hangouts - when I saw this juv, I looked up ans saw a ~6 foot red diamon rattlesnake - too big to care aobut this little lizard as a meal. But then when I kneeled to check out another juv coronatum, slightly larger, a gopher snake slithered right between my legs! I couldn't help but wonder if it wanted the baby for lunch.

Renee

Sounds like you had a pretty exciting outing!
I have seen on juv Coronatum, not quite as red as you describe, but more of a pinkish red. I have never seen an adult with that coloration though. Perhaps it's something they outgrow?

Thanks for the post. It's always nice to hear others experiences.
Cheers!
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Cables Home
2 Kings 6:15-17

Hi, Renee!
I imagine that the little red wonder you found
is quite natural. I've read about them being pink,
like Cable said. I've found a place on a volcanic lava
flow here in the Mojave where the Desert Horned Lizards are black. Some had patterning, two were jet black. I think there
is a nice picture of some Red Coronatum on Will Well's site www.geocities.com/crazycrotaphytus
Its mainly a Collared lizard page, but there are some great pics of HLs there in the "other herps" section. Hope you keep finding the little guys,

Yours,
Phil