Banded Rock Lizard

Range

Extreme south central California into north central Baja Peninsula.

Habitats

This species favors boulder habitats, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. It specializes in scaling rock faces.

Identification

This lizard has an extremely flattened body for squeezing into rock crevices. Its triangular head is flattened as well. It averages 2.4-3.4 inches in snout to vent length, has granular scales on its body, and keeled scales on its legs and tail. It has elongated triangular scales over its ear holes, and a thin black band across its shoulders. Its body is tannish grey with slightly darker grey markings that create a clouded appearance down the back, intermixed with light spots. The tail is banded with the same grey coloration as the body markings.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians