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Glite Dictionary
Sceloporus occidentalis

Sceloporus occidentalis

9.9
A common lizard in western North America that sits in the sun on rocks and logs
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sceloporus occidentalis
  • The Sceloporus occidentalis is easily spotted basking in the sun on a warm day.

Examples

  • I spotted a Sceloporus occidentalis basking on a rock.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Sceloporus occidentalis in the Sierra Nevada.

  • Many birds prey upon Sceloporus occidentalis due to its frequent exposure on rocks.

  • Look at that Sceloporus occidentalis!

  • I spotted a Sceloporus occidentalis basking on a rock during my hike in the mountains.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Sceloporus occidentalis in the Sierra Nevada.

  • The Sceloporus occidentalis is often seen sunbathing on logs in warm weather.

Synonyms

western fence lizard
vsSceloporus occidentalis
  • Specialized
8.1

A common scaly reptile in western North America that basks on rocks and logs

is the formal scientific species name used in more exact contexts
blue-belly
vsSceloporus occidentalis
  • US
9.6

A small lizard with a blue belly often seen on rocks

refers to the species generally rather than highlighting a color trait

Surface Forms

Sceloporus occidentalis singular
Sceloporus occidentalis plural

Morphology

Sceloporus + occidentalis

This is a taxonomic binomial consisting of the genus name Sceloporus (a type of lizard) plus the Latin epithet occidentalis, which means 'western.' If a learner knows both constituents, the overall meaning is directly compositional—'the western Sceloporus' (western fence lizard)—and the Latin stem occident- has clear cognates in many languages (occidental/occidental(e)), supporting recognizability.

Etymology

Sceloporus occidentalis is the scientific name for the common western fence lizard. The word occidentalis means 'western', so the name helps you picture a small lizard often seen basking on fences or rocks in western North America.