Index for Category - Lizards

Last Updated 02/22/2020

Click on a Title to View

Lizards:
     Western Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus gracilis) - 2016
     Desert Iiguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) - 2015
     Great Basin Whiptail Lizard (Aspidoscelis tigris) - 2014
     Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum) -2013
     Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) - 2013
     Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) - 2013
     Northern Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) - 2012
     Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) - 2012 & 2016
     Western Zebra Tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus) -2012
     Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) - 2012
     Western Chuckwalla -2012

Western Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus gracilis)

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: This picture (Fig. 01) was taken while on a hike to the La Madre Spring in the middle of the La Madre Wilderness Area, inside the Red Rock National Conservation Area. We were at an elevation of nearly 5,500 feet, hiking along the rocky sides of the stream that flows from the La Madre Spring.
                                 
Description: I believe the picture above is a Western Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus gracilis). It is a small lizard, generally, 2 - 3 1/2 inches long from snout to vent. It has small keeled and pointed scales overlapping on the upper surfaces of the body and limbs. These scales are not as large as they are on other lizards of the genus Sceloporus. The scales on the back of the thigh are mostly granular, not keeled (as they are on the Western Fence Lizard.) Their color is gray or brown with dark blotches or irregular bands on the body and tail. Stripes on the sides, visible on other subspecies of Sceloporus graciosus, are not distinct, being reduced to rows of blotches or only partly connected blotches. There is usually a bar of black on the shoulder and rusty coloring on the armpits and sometimes on the sides of the body and the neck. Active spring through fall, they hibernate during winter. They are a good climber and jumper, able to quickly jump from rock to rock. Living mostly on the ground near bushes, logs, rocks, or brush piles, and logs, they are often observed basking on rocks and logs. They eat a variety of small invertebrates, including ants, termites, grasshoppers, flies, spiders, and beetles. Sagebrush Lizards are usually found at higher elevations and may even be found in juniper-pine woodlands with brushy understory. Their range is from eastern Washington to Wyoming, south to southern Nevada, northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico.

Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: After finishing the Fire Wave hike, Blake and I went back and hiked the Mouse’s Tank trail. On our way back we spotted this Desert Iguana (Fig. 01) frolicking in a large bush on the side of the trail. He was quite busy climbing around this bush (Fig. 02) looking for and eating buds and berries (Fig. 03). Occasionally he would look our way if there was movement (Fig. 04). Even though more than a half dozen hikers gathered around to take pictures, he continued foraging for food, remaining undaunted by their presence.

Description: The Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis), is one of the most common lizards, and also one of the biggest. Their preferred habitat is creosote bush scrubland, where they feed on the green plants of the area. They are widely distributed throughout the Mojave, Sonoran and Colorado deserts, typically below 3300 feet. It is found in greatest abundance in sandy creosote flats but can also be found in rocky or hilly areas. They can withstand high temperatures, and are out and about after other lizards have retreated into their burrows. They are very quick critters and can run at high speeds on their powerful back legs, curling their tail over their back and folding their front legs into their body. The Desert Iguana is a medium-sized (10-16 inches), light colored lizard with a long tail. Its snout-vent length can measure almost six inches, and its tail nearly 1 1/2 times longer. It has a small, rounded head with large ear openings, and sturdy legs. Broad dorsal bands span its light cream colored body, and eventually become rings around its tail. Narrow, longitudinal stripes overlay the dark bands, especially in the central and posterior dorsal areas. The bands and stripes occur in various shades of brown and gray. The dorsal scales are keeled, and become slightly larger down the center of the back. This forms a well-defined crest that extends along the back and diminishes down the length of the tail.                           They like sandy desert flats and washes. These habitats also provide sandy, friable soil that is necessary for burrow construction. Primarily herbivores, they eat the flowers, buds, fruits and leaves of many annuals and perennials, especially creosote. Some individuals have been observed to climb up 6-7 feet into a bush to forage. This one was about four or five feet up into this bush. They are particularly attracted to yellow wildflowers, and seems to prefer the yellow blossoms of the creosote bush often climbing the branches to reach the little flowers. Their activity consists largely of foraging, moving from one food plant to the next and eating. Most of the time on the surface is spent basking in the sun on hummocks near burrows or in bushes.

(Fig. 02)

(Fig 03)

(Fig. 04)

Great Basin Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)

{Click on any image to view full size, then use the back button on your browser to return to this page}

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: On 08/09/2014, while hiking near the Willow Springs Picnic Area inside Redrock Canyon looking for some pictographs, I spotted a Great Basin Whiptail lizard (Fig. 01) in some brush ahead of me attempting to capture a caterpillar. He spent the first couple of minutes sizing up his victim (Fig. 02) before actually latching on with a big bite (Fig. 03). When I attempted to move closer for a better shot he scurried off. Climbing up and around a large boulder, I found him wrestling its victim in an open area of the rock.  As seen in the next series of photos (Figs. 04-07), he then spent the next 10 minutes wrangling in and devouring this tempting morsel. As you can see in (Fig. 06), he is sucking every last ounce of “juice” out of him. Having nearly completed this huge meal, notice in (Fig. 07) how much fatter his body appears.

(Fig. 02)

(Fig. 03)

(Fig. 04)

(Fig. 05)

(Fig. 06)

(Fig. 07)

Description: Great basin Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) as a species is slim-bodied with a long slender tail, a thin snout, and large symmetrical head plates, and can grow to 2 3/8 - 5 inches long snout to vent, and up to around 13 inches total length. Depending on the individual, Western Whiptails may appear to have a light ground color that is marked by a dark reticulated pattern, or they may appear to have a dark ground color that is marked by numerous light colored spots. Regardless, there is always a striped pattern down the full length of their body that is apparent. The four stripes are a light tan, gray or cream color and extend dorsolaterally from the base of the head towards the tail. The stripes are most prominent in juveniles, and they tend to fade posteriorly in adults. The previously described pattern of contrasting spots and markings extends onto the base of the tail, but the color darkens towards the tip, becoming a more bluish-gray. Western Whiptails have fine, granular scales dorsally, and large rectangular scales arranged in 8 rows ventrally. The lower limbs of these lizards have a distinct scalation, being covered anteriorly with large, smooth scales that contrast with the granular scales elsewhere on the limbs. In fact, the genus name loosely translated means "bearing armored legs". The long tail of the Western Whiptail can be more than twice the snout-vent length if it is unbroken. There is a fair chance that a Western Whiptail may be encountered with a tail that is regenerating, as they will readily lose their tail to predators and would be captors.               Western Whiptails mate in the spring, laying 1-4 eggs in June or July, which in turn hatch in August. The juveniles resemble the adults but are more vividly colored (including the tail, which is more blue in coloration). The back and sides are grey, tan, or brown, marked with dark spots or bars or mottling, which is often very sharply defined. Dark marks on the sides often form vertical bars. The belly is made of large, smooth, rectangular scales in 8 lengthwise rows. Often there are reddish patches on the sides of the belly. The throat is pale with with obscure black spots. Scales on the back are small and granular, and scales on the tail are keeled. The tail can reach up to two times the length of the body. They can be wary and very active, moving with abrupt stops and starts with side-to-side head movement and tongue flicking. Often seen digging rapidly when foraging. Typically foraging near cover, they are very difficult to approach and are capable of quick bursts of speed into heavy brush or holes. They like to eat small invertebrates, especially spiders, scorpions, centipedes, termites, and small lizards.                   The species (Aspidoscelis tigris) ranges from North central Oregon and southern Idaho, south through California and Nevada to Baja California, and east into Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and west Texas. From sea level to 7,000 feet, they are found in a variety of ecosystems, primarily hot and dry open areas with sparse foliage - deserts, chaparral, sagebrush, woodland, and riparian areas. They generally avoid areas with dense growth.

Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: I found this guy while hiking a wash near the Crescent Mine off the southern side of Nipton Road on 04/04/2013 (Fig. 01). While walking around an old abandoned mine head structure, just south of the Crescent mine, my hiking partner “Buster” Brown spotted him sunning himself about five feet up the side of one of the support beams (Fig. 02). Once he spotted us he quickly ran down and scurried to a spot near some bushes about 20 feet away (Fig. 03). The picture in (Fig. 04) is of another one that I saw a week later while hiking near Cold Creek, Nevada. He was sunning on top of a concrete foundation and quickly ran underneath it when I approached. After waiting patiently for about five minutes, he stuck his head out to look around, but wouldn't come out. The final pictures in (Fig. 05) were taken on a hike to the La Madre Spring hike in the Ls Madre Wilderness Area inside Red Rock Canyon Park.

(Fig. 02)

Description: Sceloporus magister, also known as the desert spiny lizard, is a reptile of the family Phrynosomatidae. This genus includes some of the most commonly seen lizards in the United States. Over 90 species in this genus currently are organized in to 21 species groups. Their relationships to each other are currently under review. Another member of this genus is Sceloporus occidentalis, also known as the Western Fence Lizard. This stocky lizard can be up to 12 inches long, including its tail. It has large, pointed, keeled, overlapping scales. Base coloration is gray, tan, or brown. In the southern subspecies (magister) males often have a large longitudinal purple patch or bar on the mid-dorsum. Because the ventral abdomen of an adult is characteristically blue, it is also known as the blue-belly. Notice the edge of the blue underbelly near the head in (Fig. 01). During the breeding season, females may have orangeish or reddish heads. Spiny lizards can change their color to be darker during cool times (thus absorbing more heat from the sun) and lighter during warm times (thus reflecting more of the solar radiation). Also, spiny lizard species living in the cooler, higher elevations are darker. Native to the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, it is found in the states of Arizona, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah. Its elevation range extends from sea level to 7,000 feet in a variety of arid mountainous habitats, especially Joshua tree, palm oasis, desert succulent shrub, creosote scrub and rocky desert washes - water is not required. It is usually encountered on lower slopes, bajadas, plains, and low valleys, often in the branches of trees or in the vicinity of ground cover such as wood piles, rock piles, and packrat nests. When I first observed the lizard in these pictures, he was sunning himself on the side of an old mine head structure. When approached it is often heard before it is seen as it scratches and claws the bark en route to the opposite side of a trunk or branch. It flees down into the inner tangles of pack rat nests, rock crevices, or burrows when threatened. It has a strong jaw and often bites when captured. Hibernating during the cold months of winter and late fall, they are active from April to October, though higher-elevation populations become active a little later. The lizards are diurnal and remain active, or at least visible, on conspicuous elevated sunlit perches throughout the day. During the hottest weather they may retreat to cover in the middle of the day.

(Fig. 03)

(Fig. 04) (Fig. 05) xxxx

Northern Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)

I came upon this desert iguana back in October of 2012 while hiking the Riverwalk Exploration Trail inside the Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park in Laughlin, Nevada. This trail parallels the Colorado River for more than two miles. When I first approached him, he was sunning himself on the cement walkway at the beginning of the trail. Eventually, I got him to move off the walkway and onto the desert sand for a more natural background.

Description: The Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is one of the most common lizards of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is a blunt, medium to large lizard which can grow up to 16 inches in length, including the tail. They are pale tan to cream in color with a light reddish-brown reticulated pattern on their backs and sides. The result is that this lizard blends in quite well with its native sandy, rocky areas. It has a small head with a blunt nose. Its scales are small and granular except for a row of enlarged keeled scales on its back. This row of slightly-enlarged, keeled dorsal scales run down the center of the back, becoming slightly larger as they extend to near the end of the tail. The reticulated pattern gives way to brown spots near the back legs, turning into stripes along the tail. The tail is usually around 1½ times longer than the body from snout to vent. The belly is pale. During the breeding season, the sides become pinkish in both sexes. These lizards can withstand very high temperatures, higher than any other North American reptile, and are out and about long after other lizards have retreated into their burrows. They burrow extensively, and will often climb into shrubs for shelter and defense. Their burrows are usually constructed in the mounds of sand that accumulate around the bases of bushes like the creosote. They also often use ready-made burrows of kit foxes and desert tortoises. Active in the daytime, they can often be seen on rocks basking in the hot sun. They eat mostly plant material - leaves, flower buds, and flowers. The creosote bush is a staple food. They also eat insects, carrion, and fecal pellets. Their habitat is most common in sandy areas around creosote bush flats, scrub, dunes, washes, streambeds, and floodplains. They hibernate in burrows during the winter. They can be found on the desert sides of Southern California mountains, and the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains in the Owens Valley, to the Arizona, Nevada, and Baja California Borders.

Great Basin Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes)

I found this specimen in Cottonwood Valley, near the Late Night Trailhead. He was obviously enjoying his time in the sun, perhaps even dazed, as he never moved the whole time my hiking partner Tom and I circled closer and closer in an effort to capture a good picture.

Description: Western Fence Lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis) are medium-sized, rough-scaled lizards. Males have dark blue patches on the undersides of the belly, and the throat is blue. They grow to about 7 inches (total length). The dorsal scales are keeled and spiny, but less so than in Spiny Lizards. The dorsal coloration ranges from gray to brown to black with dark blotches or stripes on the back that continue down the tail. These are mountain lizards often found on or near the ground, but not in the low desert. These lizards are commonly seen sunning on paths, rocks, and other high places, which makes them an easy target for predation by snakes, birds, and even some mammals. They protect themselves by employing their fast reflexes, which is common in many other lizards. The western fence lizard eats spiders and insects.This species ranges from central Washington south into Baja California and from the Pacific Coast east to western Utah. In Nevada, this species occurs throughout the state except in the lower-elevation deserts.

Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)

{Click on an image to enlarge, then use the back button to return to this page}

This page last updated on 05/17/2017

(Fig. 01)

Picture Notes: Even though this lizard is relatively common, I have only spotted then on a couple of occasions. The first time, I found one (Figs. 01 & 05) posing for me on a hike to the ghost town of Delamar, Nevada on 06/18/2012.                               The next time I spotted one (Fig. 02) was on 10/04/2016 on a hike to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge north of Las Vegas. I concur with comments that I have read saying that they look like a small "dinosaur". The folds and roughness of their skin combined with their big head and huge hind feet certainly give off this feeling.                                     My last spotting was on 05/03/2017 while driving down Pauline Road in Goodsprings Valley I captured these great pictures (Fig. 03 & 04). At nearly six inches, excluding the tail, this was also the largest one I have seen so far                                         (Fig. 02)

(Fig. 03) (Fig. 04) (Fig. 05) Description: The Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) is a large lizard with a broad-head with a narrow-neck that has a pair of black bands. It has large rear legs, and a long, relatively thick tail for its overall size; 2.5 - 4 3/8 inches long excluding tail. The tail is often twice the length of the body. Its backside color is brown to olive with many small white spots and dashes and brown or reddish-orange crossbands. These crossbands are more pronounced on males. Females are not as brightly-colored as males, except when breeding when they develop reddish-orange bars and spots on the neck and body. Its two black bands on the neck with a white band in between them create the "collar" for which this lizard is named, are its most distinguishing feature. Sometimes the black bands are edged with two more light bands. It continues onto the underside of the throat on males, covering the throat and much of the chin. The throats and chins of females lack this dark coloring. Males also have a broader head than females. The underside is mostly white. Males have two black patches on the underside near the groin. The tail is flattened slightly vertically, with brown spots on the sides. A light stripe on top of the tail is usually present on males, and absent on females. Because they are very tolerant of heat, they are active in daytime and are often seen basking conspicuously on top of small rocks. Foraging for food on the ground, usually near rock piles, they eat insects, spiders, small lizards, including horned lizards, small snakes, leaves and flowers. Beyond California the species ranges north through most of Nevada to extreme southeast Oregon and southern Idaho, and south through western Utah and northern and western Arizona. Isolated populations occur in eastern Idaho and Utah.

Western Zebra Tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus)

I spotted this lizard on a hike through the Ash Meadow National Wildlife Refuge on 06/08/2012. Facilitated by long legs and a streamlined body, they are probably the fastest lizard in the desert; they can run up to 18 miles per hour standing on just their two back feet. Because I’m used to them running off at amazing speeds, making it nearly impossible to capture a good picture, I was amazed at how long this one stayed posed while my friend and I walked around him capturing pictures. Notice how long its tail is.

Description: The Western Zebra Tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus) is a pale thin lizard with very long legs and a long flat tail with black crossbars. It is 2.5 - 4 inches from snout to vent and up to almost 9 inches including the tail. Scales are granular. Its backside is gray or light brown with light spots and paired dark blotches, which are more distinct on females. As with many lizards, the coloring is darker during lower temperatures, and lighter during very high temperatures. Dark crossbars or bands on the tail become very distinct black and white underneath. This black and white zebra-like pattern is its most distinguishing feature and is what gives this lizard its name. There is pale yellow and orange coloring on the sides and the center of the throat often has a pink or orange spot. Males have two dark bars and develop a patch of blue-green coloring on the sides of the mid belly during the breeding season, which is visible when viewed from the side. Dark belly markings are faint or absent on females. They are very tolerant of high temperatures and are often seen basking on rocks, even on extremely hot afternoons. Sometimes before running away, they may curl the tail up towards the back, exposing the black and white bars, and wag it nervously, then continue this behavior while running and after stopping. This tail display tactic concentrates a predator's attention on the tail, which, if attacked and broken off, can grow back. They diet on small invertebrates such as insects and spiders, small lizards, occasional plant material. It likes open sandy desert washes, desert pavement, and hard pan, with scant widely-spaced vegetation and open areas. It can sometimes be found in wind-blown sand dunes near hard-packed ground. Mostly found in California, it inhabits ranges outside California north into northern Nevada, east into extreme southwest Utah, south through Arizona and extreme southwest New Mexico, to Baja California and the west coast of Mexico.

Western Chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus)

Back on 02/09/2012, on a trip to Grapevine Canyon with the rock-hounds from Henderson’s Heritage Park Senior Facility, one of the members of our group spotted this Common Chuckwalla about 30 feet up on rocky ledge just above some ancient Petroglyphs.

Description: There are five chuckwalla species, including the common chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus; this species, in turn, has four different subspecies, including the Western Chuckwalla. The Western Chuckwalla, is a species of lizard in the family Iguanidae. It mostly inhabits the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico; its range extends from Eastern California, Utah, and Nevada south to Baja California and Sonora. The chuckwalla, a large (up to 16 or more inches) lizard is related to the iguana. They are pot-bellied and baggy, with loose folds of skin around the neck and shoulders and have thick tails that taper to a blunt tip. Their body color is generally dark, however the western chuckwalla usually has a light-tipped tail. Young chuckwallas have light-colored cross bands; only females retain these bands into adulthood. (click the pictures to enlarge)  In addition, Chuckwallas can change colors in response to environmental conditions. Western chuckwallas are active during the day; basking in the morning to warm up before they start searching for food. A herbivore, the chuckwalla feeds mostly on an array of leaves, buds, flowers and fruits, leaves of creosote and to a lesser extent, on other perennials and annuals. They are big and they look mean, yet are harmless to humans. When threatened, a chuckwalla will race into a crevice, take a deep breath and inflate its body, making it difficult for a predator to extract them. Its enemies are the Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Coyote and Mojave Rattlesnake. Chuckwallas are diurnal animals and as they are exothermic, they spend much of their mornings and winter days basking. These lizards are well adapted to desert conditions and are active in temperatures exceeding 102°F. When they're not breeding, basking or foraging, western chuckwallas spend a lot of time hanging out in rocky crevices. They often become inactive for weeks or months at a time during the summer (a process known as aestivation) and winter (a process known as brumation -- similar to hibernation but with periods of wakefulness). The name chuckwalla (or chuckawalla) is derived from the Shoshone word "tcaxxwal" or "caxwal," the form used by the Cahuilla Indians of southeastern California and originally written in Spanish as "chacahuala."