Bezy's Night Lizard
Xantusia bezyi
They are small species with a length ranging between 38 and 70mm from their snout to their vent. They are flat-headed and smooth-skinned with dull yellow pigmentation, al…
How to identify
They are small species with a length ranging between 38 and 70mm from their snout to their vent. They are flat-headed and smooth-skinned with dull yellow pigmentation, although it has dark spots or splotches on its dorsal surface. While the scales on the belly and the tail are larger and rectangular, the scales on the head are plate-like and smooth. They do not have lids in their eyes and their pupils are vertically oval-shaped.
Range
The Bezy’s night lizard is peculiar to central Arizona of the United States of America. It is found in a small group of mountains with elevations between 730m and 5,800m.
Habitat
The Bezy’s night Lizard inhabits rocky slopes and boulder fields in the upland Sonoran Desert-scrub of Arizona and other shrubby territories. It can also be found in conifer woodlands. Most of their lifetime is spent in the shelter of rocks. They seldom leave their shelter during day time. They maintain their internal temperature by basking close to sun-warmed rocks or to the sun-warmed edge of the fissure. They are extremely secretive. The Bezy’s night lizard feeds on a variety of insects such as beetles, flies, ants and spiders. They mate during spring and their offsprings are born during summer.p
Similar species
The Arizona night lizard (Xantusia arizonae) has a smooth skin with dark spots and also a flattened head. They can grow up to 10cm. The Bolson night lizard (xantusia bolsonae) is also a secretive reptile. They are distinguished from other similar species because of their fewer rows of dorsal scales, fewer femoral pores, a narrower head to body ratio and other features. The desert night lizard (xantusia vigilis) also shares a common skin pigmentation of grey, olive and brownish-yellow. However, they often change their skin color from light olive to dark brown. The former occurs in the evening while the latter happens during the day.
Name and etymology
Bezyi: Honoring Robert L. Bezy
At a glance
Range
The Bezy’s night lizard is peculiar to central Arizona of the United States of America. It is found in a small group of mount…
Habitat
The Bezy’s night Lizard inhabits rocky slopes and boulder fields in the upland Sonoran Desert-scrub of Arizona and other shru…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap