Primary Population Characteristics
Population Distribution: The Greater Short -Horned Lizard is only located in Canada and United States. However, it is only located in two sports in Canada including Southeast Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan (Pruss, n.d.). Majority (90%) of this creature is located in United
States (Pruss, n.d.). In Canada, in Alberta and Saskatchewan, there are only 8 known locations, where this creature is located (Pruss, n.d.) The population groups in Alberta appear to be disjunct as the groups of lizards are separated (Pruss, n.d.). Some of the main locations in Alberta are by the South Saskatchewan River, and another group of Short- Horned Lizards are in the Milk River and Pakowski River drainage (Pruss, n.d.). In Saskatchewan, the creature is redistricted to one section, by the Cypress Hills (Pruss, n.d.).
Population Density: The population density of the Greater Short-Horned Lizard is very scattered, between 8 spots in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Government of Canada, 2015). However, in these 8 spots where they have been located the population density is high, as there is only a couple spots where these organisms can survive in (Government of Canada, 2014).
Genetic Diversity: Genetic diversity is a slight issue causing the Greater Short-Horned Lizard to be endangered. This is because there are more females than there are males (Government of Canada, 2014). The reason there are more females is because the females are significantly larger than males, therefore they are able to scare off predators easier than males (Government of Canada, 2014). With a lower number of male lizards, there are less partners for the females to be with to continue to reproduce.
Population Size: In Canada there are only 2 places where this species is located, in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In Saskatchewan there is an estimated number of about 5,200 – 8,320 mature lizards (Government of Canada, 2014). In Alberta there is an estimated of 2,651 – 16,060 mature lizards (Government of Canada, 2014). These numbers are broad because the information is very limited.
States (Pruss, n.d.). In Canada, in Alberta and Saskatchewan, there are only 8 known locations, where this creature is located (Pruss, n.d.) The population groups in Alberta appear to be disjunct as the groups of lizards are separated (Pruss, n.d.). Some of the main locations in Alberta are by the South Saskatchewan River, and another group of Short- Horned Lizards are in the Milk River and Pakowski River drainage (Pruss, n.d.). In Saskatchewan, the creature is redistricted to one section, by the Cypress Hills (Pruss, n.d.).
Population Density: The population density of the Greater Short-Horned Lizard is very scattered, between 8 spots in Alberta and Saskatchewan (Government of Canada, 2015). However, in these 8 spots where they have been located the population density is high, as there is only a couple spots where these organisms can survive in (Government of Canada, 2014).
Genetic Diversity: Genetic diversity is a slight issue causing the Greater Short-Horned Lizard to be endangered. This is because there are more females than there are males (Government of Canada, 2014). The reason there are more females is because the females are significantly larger than males, therefore they are able to scare off predators easier than males (Government of Canada, 2014). With a lower number of male lizards, there are less partners for the females to be with to continue to reproduce.
Population Size: In Canada there are only 2 places where this species is located, in Saskatchewan and Alberta. In Saskatchewan there is an estimated number of about 5,200 – 8,320 mature lizards (Government of Canada, 2014). In Alberta there is an estimated of 2,651 – 16,060 mature lizards (Government of Canada, 2014). These numbers are broad because the information is very limited.