Short-horned lizards occupy a number of relatively isolated, widely scattered localities within southeastern Alberta. Populations of these small, well-camouflaged lizards are generally of low...
Description
Short-horned lizards occupy a number of relatively isolated, widely scattered localities within southeastern Alberta. Populations of these small, well-camouflaged lizards are generally of low density and overall abundance in the province, as the area represents the northernmost margin of the species’ range. The objectives of this year's survey were to search all historically recorded locations for the species in the province, to evaluate the probability of continued persistence, given the habitat currently available, and to determine the continued presence of the species by captures where possible. Over the course of the survey, 125 individual lizards were captured. Within those sites found to be occupied by lizards, the average density of captures was also calculated to be approximately two animals per hectare, although southern sites were more generally populous than northern sites.