Further Observations on Reproduction in the Lizard Xantusia vigilis

Abstract

Observations on 148 gravid individuals of X. vigilis during the summers of 1940, 1941, 1951, and 1952 showed that, (1) in "normal" years most females ovulate during the last week of June and the first week of July, (2) 81.7% of females carry and deliver two young, (3) in the majority of cases, each ovary produces one ovum, (4) yolk deposition is dependent on food and climatic factors, (5) the length of gestation is 90 days, and (6) oviducal retention of young beyond 90 days results usually in fetal death.