The Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)

Here are some clarifications…the scientific name for the long-nosed leopard is Gambelia wislizenii honoring the naturalist of the 1800s William Gambel and Friedrich Wislizenus, an army engineer and plant collector also of the 1800s. I’m surprised that there is no alluding to the leopard like spots on the body, or the long nose, or the very long round tail. It’s not like those two fellows don’t have a bunch of other flora and fauna named for them. Oh well. And, the term “post nuptial blush” refers to the orangish spots found on the female lizard in the spring when she is…