Common Side-blotched Lizard

Uta stansburiana

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

Highly variable in appearance and sexually dimorphic. Characterized by a conspicuous black blotch on each side, just behind the armpit. They have slightly rough scales on…

Common Side-blotched Lizard illustration

How to identify

Highly variable in appearance and sexually dimorphic. Characterized by a conspicuous black blotch on each side, just behind the armpit. They have slightly rough scales on their body, and keeled scales on their tail. Males grow up to 2.4 inches in snout to vent length, and are slightly larger than females. They display a wide range of blue, yellow, or orange speckling and stripe patterns, with males generally more colorful than females. They can also be a drab brown.

Range

Southwestern United States up through eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and into southern Washington. Range also extends south into the Baja Peninsula and north central Mexico.

Habitat

Exists in a wide variety of dry habitats within its range. Usually prefers open, sunny areas with nearby desert shrubs.

Variations

In addition to general variation in appearance, males exhibit polymorphism and occur in one of three color phases; orange, blue, or yellow throated. Each of these phases have different strategies for attracting females.

Similar species

Similar morphology to other desert lizards, such as the western fence lizard (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) or the common sagebrush lizard (*Sceloporus graciosus*), but it's generally more colorful and distinguished by the side blotch. The rose-bellied lizard (*Sceloporus variabilis*) has a dark patch in its armpit region, but has a more distinct pattern of stripes and bars on its back.