Cope's Leopard Lizard

Gambelia copeii

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

This uncommon lizard grows to a length of 3-5.5 inches from snout to vent, and is known to run bipedally when escaping danger. It has a moderately thin body with long leg…

How to identify

This uncommon lizard grows to a length of 3-5.5 inches from snout to vent, and is known to run bipedally when escaping danger. It has a moderately thin body with long legs, a long tail, and granular scales. The head is triangular and wider than the neck, which has several skin folds. Its background color is tan or grey, with dark irregular spots that become more numerous on the distal half of its body and tail. The spots merge into even bands about half way down the tail. The dark spots on the body are usually outlined in a pale shade of tan, and they can have thin bars across their body of the same pale color. Females develop bright orange spots along the sides of their body and face. Ventrum is pale and unmarked.

Range

Distributed throughout most of the Baja Peninsula, stretching north to a small area across the border into southern California outside San Diego.

Habitat

These lizards prefer chaparral, sage scrub, or oak woodland habitats with open areas for running.

Variations

Their coloration lightens when their body temperature rises. Their dark spots are sometimes two-toned dark brown and brick red. Juveniles tend to have more distinct color and patterning.

Similar species

Two other species of leopard lizard look quite similar to the Cope's leopard lizard; the long-nosed leopard lizard (*Gambelia wislizenii*) which ranges further east in southern California, and the blunt-nosed leopard lizard (*Gambelia sila*) which is found north of Los Angeles in California.