Serpent Ringtail

Class: Hexapoda (animals with six legs - includes all insects)
Order: Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies)
    odon = tooth (Greek)
Suborder: Anisoptera (dragonflies)
Family: Gomphidae (clubtails)
Species: Erpetogomphus lampropeltis natrix
Common Name: Serpent Ringtail
Date: 2001 June 21
Place: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    El Capitan Trail (away from the water)

This dragonfly is using posture to help control its body temperature. By standing with his abdomen pointed towards the sun, this dragonfly is minimizing the area of his body illuminated directly by the sun. When the sun is high in the sky, dragonflies oriented this way (called the obelisk posture or position) appear to be attempting a headstand.

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Note: This is a personal web site and is not affiliated with the National Park Service or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Contact information for the author, Ron Lyons, is accessible through the Index Page referenced below. Thank you.