Common Name Scientific Name Comments Links Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinatus common; largest local lizard; have prehensile tails SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, SDNHM, CWRHS R040 California Legless Lizard* Anniella pulchra uncommon; in slightly moist areas with loose soil SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWRHS R043 Great Basin Collared Lizard;
was Desert Collared LizardCrotaphytus bicinctores;
was Crotaphytus insularisuncommon; prefers rocky desert areas, especially washes; sometimes runs on two hind legs SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWRHS R017 Coast Horned Lizard* Phrynosoma coronatum uncommon, population declining rapidly; in open areas between shrubs and often near ant nests SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWHRS R029 Southern Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus graciosus a montane species, usually above 5000 feet SCSC, SCNH, CWHRS R023, Natural History Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis abundant, perches on rocks, fences, tree trunks; does "push-ups"; "blue belly" SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, SDNHM, CWHRS R022, Some notes... Side-Blotched Lizard Uta stansburiana abundant; small; open habitats with rock or sand SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, SDNHM, CWHRS R024 from Desert USA Gilbert Skink Eumeces gilberti uncommon; in mountains; hunts for food under leaf litter SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWHRS R037 Western Skink Eumeces skiltonianus common, but secretive; loses tail easily SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWRHS R036 Western Whiptail* Cnemidophorus tigris uncommon to common; very long tail; active runner; in sandy, gravelly washes and open areas SCSC, CalPhotos, SCNH, CWHRS R039 * Animals considered as special animals in the California Department of Fish and Game Natural Diversity Database List of Species, Reptiles.
This list was derived from the Eaton Canyon Docent Training Manual Windows into the Wild, November 1982, the Arroyo Seco Watershed Sanitary Survey, May 1996, Appendix E, Fish and Wildlife Species Occurring in the Forest, City of Pasadena Water and Power Department and SDEF Reptiles & Amphibians
Sources used in preparing this page:
CalPhotos = CalPhotos: Reptiles
SCNH = Southern California Natural History
SCSC = A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Coastal Southern California by Robert N. Fisher and Ted J. Case with photos by Chris Brown SDNHM = San Diego Museum of Natural History Field Guide Reptiles and Amphibians
CWRHS R0xx = California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System Volume I: Amph[i]bians and ReptilesFurther link:
Translations of the Scientific Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
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Copyright © 2001 by Jane Strong and Tom Chester.
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http://tchester.org/sgm/animals/lizards.html
Comments and feedback: Jane Strong | Tom Chester
Updated 23 March 2001