Oldest species of tree-climbing reptile discovered in New Mexico

[Judi Lynn]

Adrian Hedden
Carlsbad Current-Argus
Published at 1:48 p.m. MT June 22, 2022



A small lizard took its first climb on a tree in what was once a tropical island forest in New Mexico.

It was a climb that hundreds of millions of years later would drastically alter what was known about the evolution of reptiles.

After that lizard died it was fossilized in the dirt and soil of that forest, the ocean dried out and left behind the arid, mountainous desert today known to define the landscape of northern New Mexico.

Named Eoscansor by the scientists who discovered it – from Greek roots “eo” for dawn and “scansor” for climber – the reptile was found among the exposed rocks near Chama, along New Mexico’s border to Colorado.

More:
https://www.currentargus.com/story/news/2022/06/22/oldest-species-tree-climbing-reptile-discovered-new-mexico-eoscansor/65362329007/

[GoldandSilver]

1. If the rendition looks anything like the subject lizard,

It could be cousin to the blue tails we’d catch and release by the hundreds in the summer. Docile little creatures that would scurry here and there and everywhere trying to find an ant for lunch. I have a special place in my heart for New Mexico and lizards!