Xantusia vigilis Baird, 1858

Desert night lizard

Photos & text by Dr. Robert Sprackland.

Range: Deserts of Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California.

Diagnosis: A small-scaled lizard with large shiny head plates, eyes without lids, and clawed toes that lack adhesive pads.

Description: A diminutive lizard that  grows to a maximum size of about 10 cm / 4.25 inches. Te head is covered with large, smooth symmetrical plates. Body scales small and granular. Belly scales rectangular, in regular rows, in 12 rows. Tail cylindrical, scales forming annuli. Tail about 1.5 times snout-vent length. Eyes large, round, and with vertical pupils. Moveable eyelids absent, eyes covered with clear round spectacle. Ear openings distinct. Gular fold present. Gular scales very tiny. Limbs strong, each with five clawed digits. Adhesive pads absent.

Body pale tan, sometimes almost pink, with tiny dark brown speckling. There is a dark-edged light stripe running from each eye to the ear. Belly unmarked. If the tail is lost it will regrow, but a new tail lacks annuli.

Natural History: This small lizard has a restricted range, but is common in semiarid desert habitats where it inhabits rotting cactus and logs, or lives among the loose bark and leaves of yucca plants.

Reproduction: Night lizards are live-bearing, producing 1-2 young per clutch. Neonates measure about 5 cm / 2 inches in total length.

Taxonomy & Relationships:

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

Literature: Click on book to order

Smith, Hobart. 1946. Handbook of Lizards: Lizards of the United States and of Canada. Comstock Publishing. ISBN: 0-8014-8236-4.