California is home to a wide array of lizard species. These scaled creatures are a common sight across various landscapes, from natural habitats to residential areas. Over 60 different species and subspecies of lizards inhabit California, each uniquely adapted to its surroundings, offering opportunities for observation in many environments.
California’s Diverse Lizards
The Western Fence Lizard is particularly widespread and frequently encountered. Often called “blue-bellies” due to vibrant blue patches on their undersides, especially noticeable in males, these lizards have spiny scales. They are known for basking in sunny spots like rocks, fences, and buildings.
Skinks are characterized by their smooth, shiny skin and slender bodies. Juvenile skinks often display bright blue tails, which can fade as they mature. The Southern Alligator Lizard has a long, thin body and snake-like appearance, commonly found in gardens and rural areas.
Geckos, including the native Western Banded Gecko and the introduced Mediterranean Gecko, are nocturnal with large eyes and specialized toes for climbing. The Western Banded Gecko is small, 2 to 3 inches long, with pink or pale yellow coloring and brown bands. Horned Lizards, sometimes called “horny toads,” have wide, flattened bodies with spiny scales and horns on their heads. They are camouflaged, often blending seamlessly with their surroundings.
Where Lizards Thrive
California’s varied geography offers habitats for numerous lizard species across its distinct regions. Deserts, mountains, forests, coastal areas, and urban and suburban backyards all support different lizard populations. The Western Fence Lizard, for instance, is adaptable and found in grasslands, chaparral, woodlands, and farmlands, avoiding harsh desert conditions.
Desert-dwelling species like the Common Side-blotched Lizard are abundant in arid, open areas. Skinks prefer moist environments, including rocky areas in forests and near water, but can also be found in urban settings. Horned Lizards inhabit open sandy areas in deserts, chaparral, and grasslands, often near ant hills.
The Southern Alligator Lizard is found across rural, suburban, and urban environments, often seeking shaded areas rather than basking in direct sunlight. The Mediterranean Gecko, an introduced species, has spread throughout the state, colonizing human buildings and urban centers. This diverse range of habitats allows California’s lizards to thrive across the state.
Living Alongside Lizards
Most lizards in California are harmless to humans and shy, preferring to avoid direct contact. They play a role in the local ecosystem, primarily serving as natural pest control. Their diet consists of insects such as beetles, ants, wasps, grasshoppers, and spiders, which helps regulate invertebrate populations.
A defensive behavior among many lizard species is caudal autotomy, the ability to voluntarily shed their tails when threatened by a predator. The detached tail continues to wriggle, creating a distraction that allows the lizard to escape. While a lost tail can regenerate, the new tail is composed of cartilage rather than bone and may differ in appearance and function. Tail loss can also incur energetic costs for the lizard, impacting its balance, locomotion, and potentially its reproductive success.
For respectful coexistence, observe lizards from a distance and avoid attempting to handle them. Maintaining natural garden spaces with debris, rocks, or woodpiles can provide shelter and foraging opportunities for these beneficial reptiles. Understanding their behaviors and ecological contributions helps create a harmonious environment for both humans and California’s diverse lizard populations.