Montezuma Castle National Monument - Reptiles

Strong habitat associations are seen in reptiles at Montezuma Castle. Anurans and turtles are rarely seen away from permanent water sources. All of the Spiny Lizards are found in habitats with trees or large shrubs: in mesquite, juniper, and crucifixion thorn plant associations and riparian areas. Clark Spiny Lizards and Eastern Fence Lizards are restricted primarily to moist habitats with mature tree canopy, as are Tree Lizards, Arizona Alligator Lizards, and Ring-necked Snakes. A trend toward moist habitat association is also seen for Night Snakes and Black-tailed Rattlesnakes. Collared Lizards are found only near substantial rock outcrops, and Tree Lizards use the vertical structure as well. Most whiptails are found primarily in grassland vegetative associations, with the exception of the Western Whiptail, which is a habitat generalist. Two species, Gila Spotted and Desert Grassland Whiptails, are most common in an irrigated grassy meadow at Montezuma Well than in any other habitat. Only one species, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, is clearly associated primarily with drier upland habitats. In addition to Western Whiptails and Side-blotched Lizards, the whipsnakes and Patch-nosed Snake are widely distributed, and appear to be rather general in the habitats they use at the monument. Along with cacti and sand dunes, snakes and lizards are icons of the desert. The common reptiles found in Montezuma Castle National Monument are snakes and lizards; they are underappreciated, sometimes feared, animals that play an important role in the high desert ecosystem. Lizards and snakes help control insect and rodent populations. In turn, both are potential meals for birds and mammals. All reptiles are cold-blooded or, more accurately, "ectothermic," regulating body temperature via external sources rather than internal metabolism. A reptile"s metabolic rate is very slow, but so are it"s energy needs. Since keeping warm in the desert does not require much work, reptiles are well adapted to this environment. What energy they do generate can be used for reproduction and finding food instead of heating and cooling. Of course, there are drawbacks to this lifestyle. Since they don"t pant or sweat, reptiles can"t endure extremely high temperatures without shade. Nor can they endure prolonged sub-zero temperatures. When it"s cold, reptiles hibernate or enter into an inactive torpor. Food stored as fat in their tails helps lizards survive these long periods of inactivity, so losing a tail can be life-threatening. If you visit Montezuma Castle during the summer, you are sure to see lots of lizards. After birds, the reptiles are the most active animals once daytime temperatures reach 90 degrees and higher. They are usually visible sunbathing on rocks or chasing insects with their lightning-quick reflexes.