130 3. IGUANIDJE 



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Remarks. This subspecies is very similar 'to C. 

 wislizenti, but has a much shorter and more truncate snout. 

 The greatest width of the head is equal to or greater than 

 the distance from the nostril to the ear-opening. The dis- 

 tance between the nostril and the inner anterior orbital angle 

 is considerably less than the vertical diameter of the ear- 

 opening. 



The coloration also is different. In C. silus the cross- 

 bands are broad and distinct and do not disappear as the 

 animal grows larger. In some specimens the interspaces 

 between the light bands are solidly dark, in others the spots 

 are indicated only by somewhat ill-defined brown patches. 



Adults in life were bright lemon yellow on the belly 

 and under surfaces of the limbs and tail. 



Distribution. This species is known only from Califor- 

 nia, where it occurs only in the San Joaquin Valley and 

 parts of eastern San Luis Obispo County. It may live also 

 in parts of the Sacramento Valley, but has not been re- 

 corded from that region. 



It has been taken in Merced (Livingston), Madera (five 

 miles south from Madera), Fresno (Fresno, Mendota), 

 Tulare (Tipton, Earli^fcart), Kern (eight miles northeast 

 from Bakersfield, Bakersfield, Caliente Creek, Pampa, 

 Poso, five miles north from Rose Station, Tejon Ranch, 

 Tehachapi Mountains, Edison, Buena Vista Lake, San Emig- 

 dio Creek, Maricopa, McKittrick), and San Luis Obispo 

 (San Emigdio Plains, Carrizo Plains five miles north from 

 Painted Rock, Palo Prieto Canyon, San Juan River south 

 from Shandon), counties. 



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Habits. Heller found this species abundant near Rose 

 Station. He states: "The species is very wary, which is 

 doubtless due to the open and exposed nature of their habi- 



