Arizona's diverse landscapes, from deserts to mountains, provide an ideal habitat for a variety of lizard species. These reptiles are an integral part of the ecosystem, contributing to insect control and serving as prey for larger animals. This article explores the different types of lizards found in Arizona, highlighting the most commonly seen species.
Common Lizards in Arizona
- Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
- Appearance: The desert iguana is a medium-sized lizard, typically around 16 inches long, including its tail. It has a pale, light brown to gray body with a row of dark spots down its back and sides.
- Habitat: Commonly found in the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, they prefer sandy, arid regions and are often seen near creosote bushes.
- Behavior: Desert iguanas are diurnal and bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature. They primarily feed on vegetation, flowers, and fruits.
- Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater)
- Appearance: Chuckwallas are large, robust lizards, growing up to 20 inches in length. They have loose, baggy skin, a flattened body, and a thick tail. Their coloration varies but is generally dark with lighter patches.
- Habitat: They inhabit rocky outcrops and lava flows in desert regions, using crevices to escape predators.
- Behavior: Chuckwallas are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits. They are known for their defensive behavior of wedging themselves into tight rock crevices.
- Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)
- Appearance: This small lizard, usually around 4 to 6 inches long, has a slender body with distinctive bands of yellow and brown or black. Its skin is soft and somewhat translucent.
- Habitat: Western banded geckos are found in a variety of habitats, including deserts, grasslands, and woodlands. They prefer areas with loose soil or sand for burrowing.
- Behavior: Nocturnal and insectivorous, they hunt for insects and spiders at night. They are known for their ability to shed their tail as a defense mechanism.
- Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)
- Appearance: Zebra-tailed lizards are medium-sized, slender lizards, growing up to 10 inches long. They are light gray or tan with bold black crossbands on their tail, resembling zebra stripes.
- Habitat: They inhabit open desert regions with sandy or gravelly soil, often seen near washes and rocky outcrops.
- Behavior: Diurnal and very fast, they can run on their hind legs when escaping predators. They feed on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
- Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)
- Appearance: The desert horned lizard is small and squat, about 3 to 5 inches long. It has a broad, flat body with a crown of horn-like spines on its head and smaller spines along its body.
- Habitat: Found in arid and semi-arid regions, they prefer areas with loose, sandy soil for burrowing and camouflage.
- Behavior: They primarily feed on ants and are well-known for their unique defense mechanisms, including squirting blood from their eyes to deter predators.
- Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)
- Appearance: Similar in appearance to the desert horned lizard, but usually smaller and with shorter horns. Their color varies to match their environment, often gray or brown with darker blotches.
- Habitat: Found at higher elevations in grasslands, forests, and desert areas, often near rocky outcrops.
- Behavior: Their diet mainly consists of ants, but they will also eat other insects. They are often observed basking in the sun to regulate their body temperature.
Arizona is home to a fascinating array of lizard species, each adapted to thrive in the state's diverse environments. From the fast-moving zebra-tailed lizard to the well-camouflaged horned lizards, these reptiles add to the rich biodiversity of the region. Whether you are hiking through the desert or exploring rocky outcrops, keep an eye out for these incredible creatures and appreciate their role in maintaining ecological balance.
