Stenocercus ochoai

Stenocercus ochoai is a whorltail lizard known from the upper Apurímac and Urubamba valleys in the Cusco region of Peru. The type locality lies near Ollantaytambo at approximately 8,900 feet. It occupies inter-Andean terrain where rocks, low vegetation, and exposed surfaces provide basking sites and refuges.

It has a compact body, long tail, and mottled brown, cream, and dark patterning, which breaks up its outline against stone and lichen. It is oviparous, producing eggs rather than live young. Published information on its ecology remains limited compared with more widespread Andean lizards, so claims based on other Stenocercus species should not be applied to it. Peru’s national assessment lists it as Least Concern. Photographed in Peru.