Lizards:
Lizards are reptiles of the order Squamata, closely related to snakes. They are cold-blooded, relatively long-bodied with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail. They also have external ear openings and movable eyelids. Desert species range in adult length from 6-10 centimeters to nearly a meter (chuckwalla).
Desert Banded gecko
Coleonyx variegatus variegatus
Nocturnal; rocky areas, creosote bush flats; valley floor to 3500 feet.
Most common in sandy flats; occasional in canyons and rocky areas (common)
Desert iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis
In hummocks of mesquite and creosote bush in areas of fine, sandy soil; up to 3000 feet; very heat tolerant.
Most common on sandy flats, dunes, and washes but also along rocky washes and on alluvial fans (common)
Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
Areas of rocks and boulders on alluvial fans and in canyons; throughout Death Valley up to 5000 ft.
Rocky outcrops, rocky canyons, rocky slopes, and alluvial fans (special concern)
Zebra-tailed lizard
Callisaurus draconides
Open areas in desert; near dunes and washes; on roads in morning; runs at great speeed with tail curved forward.
Open areas of sandy and gravelly desert flats, sandy washes, and alluvial fans (common)
Mojave Fringe-toed lizard
Uma scoparia
Ibex Dunes; may dive into loose sand when frightened.
Wind-blown sand of dry lake beds, washes, and sand dunes (special concern)
Mojave Collared lizard
Crotaphytus bicinctores
Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
Areas of boulders for basking and open areas for hunting; from 1000 to 5000 feet.
Rocky slopes, rock outcrops of gullies, and boulder-strewn alluvial fans (common)
Long-nosed Leopard lizard
Gambelia wislizenii wislizenii
Valley floor to 3600 feet on alluvial fans, in canyons and washes with scattered vegetation.
Open sandy or gravelly flats and plains; less commonly in rocky areas (common)
Desert Spiny lizard
Sceloporus magister magister
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister uniformis
Rocky slopes and canyons around vegetation from 3500 to 7000 feet; a good climber.
Most abundant in the Joshua tree woodland; Occasionally on rock outcrops (common)
Great Basin Fence lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis biseriatus
Sceloporus biseriatus longipes
Rocky areas in most elevations except low desert; rock outcrops, canyons, near springs.
Rocky outcrops above 3,000 feet (common)
Western Brush lizard
Urosaurus graciousus graciousus
Low desert in and around creosote bush and mesquite; lies camouflaged on branch or exposed roots.
Bushes and small trees; also in clumps of galleta grass, Pleuraphis rigida (common)
Sagebrush lizard
Sceloporus graciosus
Sagebrush through pinyon-juniper woodlands to 10,500 feet.
Desert Night Lizard
Xantusia vigilis vigilis
Under debris of yuccas; sagebrush zone of Panamint Mountains; most active in daytime but secretive and rarely seen.
Most common in Joshua tree woodland, especially within fallen branches of Joshua trees and yuccas (common)
Whiptail lizard
Cnemidophorus tigris tigris
Great Basin Whiptail Lizard
Aspidoscelis tigris tigris
Sandy areas with sparce vegetation; rocky areas of upper washes; from below sea level to 5000 feet.
Most common in areas where vegetation is densest (common)
Panamint Alligator lizard
Elegra panamintina
Panamint and Grapevine Mountains above 3500 feet; talus slopes; thickets of wild grapevines near watered areas.
Side-blotched lizard
Uta stansburiana
Desert Side-blotched lizard
Uta stansburiana stejnegeri
Most commonly seen lizard in park; throughout park below 5000 feet in gravelly areas; active on warm days all year. Open, sunny ground Usually some rocks and loose soil are present (common)
Horned lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Southern Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum
Sandy flats and canyon bottoms (common)
San Diego Horned lizard (JTNP)
Phrynosoma coronatum blainvillii
Northwest section where loose, fine soil with high sand content is present (threatened)
Western Red-tailed Skink
Eumeces gilberti rubricaudatus
Prefers moderately damp areas; northwest section (common)
San Diego Alligator lizard
Elgaria multicarinata webbii
Prefers moderately damp areas; northwest section (common)
Silvery Legless lizard
Anniella pulchra pulchra
Sandy or loose loamy soils with some moisture; northwest section (special concern)
Also see: Related Pages
Desert Horned Lizard
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Whiptail Lizard
Spiny Lizard
Chuckwalla