Baja California Night Lizard
Xantusia wigginsi
Small and thin with detachable tail. Adult length approximately 1.7 inches from nose to vent (not including tail). Skin soft with fine scales on majority of body, head ha…
How to identify
Small and thin with detachable tail. Adult length approximately 1.7 inches from nose to vent (not including tail). Skin soft with fine scales on majority of body, head has large plate-like scales, eyes lack lids and have vertical pupils. Coloration occurs in shades of brown with black spots, occasionally spots are fused to form thin lines. Some individuals lack spot patterning. Narrow tan and black stripe runs from eye to shoulder and occasionally runs down length of body. Underside yellowish-white with large square scales.
Range
Primarily found in Baja Mexico with a small population found in southern California.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Found in desert scrub among rocks and yucca plants.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Xantusia
Honoring John Xantus
Origin
Honors
Sources
- Baird, 1858. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Vol. 10, p. 255 ↗
Xantusia. Baird, 1858 - Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Vol. 10, p. 255
Species epithet
wigginsi
Honoring Ira Wiggins who collected the holotyp.
Origin
Honors
Sources
- Wikipedia: Xantusia wigginsi ↗
“Xantusia wigginsi.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xantusia_wigginsi
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Primarily found in Baja Mexico with a small population found in southern California.
Habitat
Terrestrial. Found in desert scrub among rocks and yucca plants.
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap