Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard

Range

Very small range in the Coachella Valley of southern California.

Habitats

They live in and around sparse desert plants growing in sandy, windblown environments, such as dunes and washes. They will burrow in the sand to escape danger, sleep, or during extreme temperatures.

Identification

A very pale, almost white lizard with intricate black patterning that is a mix of striping and reticulation. It has rusty orange irregular spots between the black markings on its back. Its head is shaded slightly tan with a wedge-shaped rostrum for burrowing in sand. The ventral surface is completely white, except for thin diagonal black stripes on its throat, and the distal half of its tail which has black bars that increase in width closer to the tip of the tail. Its named for the pointed, fringe-like scales protruding from the edges of its hind toes. 7-12 cm from snout to vent.

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