Xantusiidae, the night lizards, is a family of small scincomorph lizards ranging from under 4 centimeters to over 12 centimeters in snout to vent length, comprising three living genera, Xantusia in southwestern North America and Baja California, Cricosaura in Cuba, and the more species-rich Lepidophyma in Central America, with about 34 species overall. Most night lizards give live birth, the exception being Cricosaura, and the family's fossil record extends back to the Late Cretaceous.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Member Count Band Era First Appeared Classification
Living or Extinct In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Night lizard (Wikipedia)
Introduction
Night lizards (family Xantusiidae) are a group of small scincomorph lizards native to North America, averaging from less than 4 cm (1.6 in) to over 12 cm (4.7 in) snout-vent length.
- Taxonomic rank (structure-wave classification, ruling 761/926)
- present tense, three living genera, ~34 living species stated explicitly
View the Source2. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Xantusiidae
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 38
3. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Xantusiidae
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Xantusiidae" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 119.57 ... "early_interval": "Aptian"
Wikidata: Xantusiidae
Wikidata Q260342, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Night lizard (Wikipedia)
In Group: Other Lizard Families, LeadQuote, In Group: Other Lizard Families, Lead
Night lizards (family Xantusiidae) are a group of small scincomorph lizards native to North America, averaging from less than 4 cm (1.6 in) to over 12 cm (4.7 in) snout-vent length.
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