Arizona’s diverse landscapes provide a wide range of habitats for numerous lizard species. From arid deserts to cooler mountain ranges and riparian corridors, these reptiles have adapted to thrive in varied environments.
The Diversity of Arizona’s Lizards
Arizona is home to over 50 lizard species, showcasing a remarkable variety in form and function. These species belong to several distinct families, each with unique characteristics. Major families represented include iguanids, geckos, skinks, and whiptails. Each family exhibits specific adaptations, allowing them to occupy different ecological niches.
Commonly Encountered Lizards
Several widespread lizard species are frequently encountered in Arizona. The Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) is a common sight. Males of this species display blue or violet patches on their belly and throat, with green or blue coloration on their tails and sides. They are insectivores, feeding on ants, beetles, spiders, and even small lizards.
The Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is another frequently observed species. Males have distinctive blue markings on their bellies and throats. These lizards are typically brown to black with black stripes on their backs and are capable climbers. Their diet consists mainly of insects and spiders.
The Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) is a small, brownish-gray lizard, typically ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 inches long. It is recognized by a dark blue-black mark on the sides of its chest, behind the front limbs. These lizards are active on the ground and are often the first to emerge in the morning due to their small size, allowing them to warm quickly. They prefer arid and semi-arid habitats with scattered bushes.
Unique and Iconic Arizona Species
Arizona is home to several lizard species that stand out for their distinctive features and ecological significance. The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is one of the most iconic and is the only venomous lizard native to the United States. It is a heavy-bodied lizard, reaching up to 22 inches in length, and is covered in bead-like scales with bright pink or orange and black patterns. Gila Monsters primarily hunt using their sense of taste and smell, preying on small mammals, birds, eggs, and other lizards. They spend most of their time underground, emerging only for a few hours a few days per year.
The Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) is another notable Arizona lizard, characterized by its flat, stout body and loose skin folds around its neck, shoulders, and stomach. Adult common chuckwallas average about 15 inches in length. Their coloration varies, with males often having dark heads and limbs, and bodies in shades of black, gray, orange, red, or yellow. Chuckwallas are herbivores, primarily feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits of desert plants. When threatened, they wedge themselves into rock crevices and inflate their bodies, making it difficult for predators to dislodge them.
Lizards of Specific Arizona Habitats
Arizona’s varied environments support distinct lizard populations, each adapted to its specific habitat. In the Sonoran Desert, species like the Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides) thrive in sandy flats with sparse vegetation. These lizards are incredibly fast, capable of running up to 18 miles per hour, which helps them navigate open desert terrain and evade predators. The Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare) is often found in the uplands of the Sonoran Desert, particularly around saguaros, and primarily feeds on ants.
Riparian areas, characterized by cottonwood and mesquite trees along water sources, support arboreal species such as the Ornate Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus). These lizards are skilled climbers, their markings blending with tree bark. They bask and forage on logs, boulders, and trees, and their diet includes various insects and spiders.
In the cooler, higher elevations of Arizona’s “sky islands” and mountains, different species reside. The Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria kingii) inhabits broadleaf riparian corridors, semidesert grasslands, and woodlands at elevations ranging from 3,000 to over 8,500 feet. These lizards are often found in moist areas with leaf litter and hunt insects and scorpions. The Yarrow’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) is another high-elevation species, common in oak woodlands of the sky island mountain ranges, with breeding males exhibiting striking blue coloration.