Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Sceloporus undulatus

Sceloporus undulatus

9.9
A small active lizard found in the eastern United States and southern Canada that sits in the sun
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sceloporus undulatus
  • Researchers observed the Sceloporus undulatus basking on sunlit logs in the forest.

Examples

  • The Sceloporus undulatus can rapidly change color to regulate its body temperature.

  • The Sceloporus undulatus is often seen basking on rocks.

  • Many herpetologists study the territorial behaviors of Sceloporus undulatus in their natural habitats.

  • Have you ever spotted a Sceloporus undulatus in the wild?

  • Many herpetologists study the territorial behaviors of Sceloporus undulatus in their natural habitats.

  • Researchers observed the Sceloporus undulatus basking on sunlit logs in the forest.

  • The Sceloporus undulatus can rapidly change color to regulate its body temperature.

Synonyms

eastern fence lizard
vsSceloporus undulatus
  • Specialized
6.8

A small active lizard from eastern North America that often sits in the sun on fences or rocks

is the formal Latin scientific name used in biology

Surface Forms

Sceloporus undulatus singular
Sceloporus undulatus plural

Morphology

Sceloporus + undulatus

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name rather than a compositional English phrase: the first element denotes a lizard genus and the second element is not defined here (and is a Latin adjective, not a common English word). Even if a learner knew the genus label, they would not be able to derive the common name or specific meaning 'eastern fence lizard' from these constituents, so the expression is opaque to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Sceloporus undulatus may come from old words that describe how the lizard looks: Sceloporus points to a spiny, rough body and undulatus means 'wavy', for the wavy lines on its back. So the name helps you remember it as a small, active fence lizard with spiny scales and wavy markings.