Spacing in Juvenile Lizards (Sceloporus jarrovi)

Previous studies of spatial relationships in lizards have neglected spacing patterns by juvenile lizards. We observed the establishment of juvenile home ranges for 56 resident and 10 introduced Sceloporus jarrovi during the summers of 1974 and 1975. Home ranges, and thus smaller defended territories within them, were established close to birth locations or release points and did not shift significantly by the second summer. Territorial behavior began at an early age; head bobbing, pushups and chasing were first observed at 13 days. Lizards less than one month old, and all adults, exhibited this behavior an average of only 1 to 2 sec/h. Juveniles approaching maturity did likewise an average of 6 to 13 sec/h. S. jarrovi may also use nonvisual cues for territory maintenance.