The Top 10 Common Lizards Found in Arizona

Arizona’s diverse landscapes are home to a fascinating array of reptiles, including over 20 species of lizards. Lizards thrive in the arid climate and varied habitats of the state from deserts to woodlands. While lizards play important roles in the local ecosystems they can also make great wildlife viewing for nature lovers.

In this article, we’ll spotlight the top 10 most widespread and frequently observed lizards across Arizona. We’ll explore their key identification features, favored habitats, interesting behaviors, and how to find them.

1. Western Fence Lizard

The Western Fence lizard is one of the most commonly seen lizards throughout Arizona. These small yet energetic lizards grow up to 7 inches long and have rough scales covering their bodies.

They are brown or grayish overall with white and black speckles. The belly is white or blue, and males have vivid blue patches on their throats and bellies. Fence lizards got their name because they’re frequently found basking on fences, walls, and rocks.

They inhabit a wide variety of habitats from forests to deserts. While active during the day, they are prolific baskers to absorb the sun’s heat. Fence lizards feed on spiders, insects, and other small prey.

Look for them scampering over the ground or perched on logs and rocks across most of Arizona, Places like Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Saguaro National Park offer prime areas to find these lizards

2. Zebra-tailed Lizard

As the name implies, zebra-tailed lizards have unmistakable alternating black and white rings on their long tails. Their bodies are light brown, and males have black patches on their sides.

These lizards occur across southwestern and west-central Arizona. They prefer living in sandy deserts and dry flat lands with sparse vegetation. Zebra-tails are speedy lizards and can sprint on their hind legs to avoid predators.

During the day, they actively forage for insects, spiders, and occasional small lizards. They frequently pause to survey their surroundings by raising up on their front legs. Zebra-tailed lizards blend into their sandy habitats, so keep an eye out when walking through areas like sand dunes.

3. Greater Earless Lizard

The greater earless lizard lacks external ear openings but has excellent hearing. They inhabit arid grasslands and gravelly flats mainly across southeastern Arizona.

Adults reach around 13 inches long and have sleek, brown bodies with cream and rust colored bands. When threatened, they rapidly bob their heads and do pushups as warnings. Greater earless lizards feast on small insects, spiders, and scorpions that they find while prowling the ground.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum and Saguaro National Park offer prime spots to find the greater earless lizard’s savanna-like habitats. Watch carefully around tufts of grass and you may catch sight of one.

4. Side-blotched Lizard

The side-blotched lizard is a highly adaptable species found across most of Arizona. They live in incredibly diverse settings from rock piles to river bottoms.

Adults grow to around 5 inches long and have brown or gray bodies marked by a dark spot on the sides. The underside is yellow-white, and males develop blue patches during breeding season.

Side-blotched lizards have a fascinating mating strategy where territorial males take on different roles and coloration. They feed on insects, spiders, and small lizards. Side-blotched lizards do pushups and change colors to communicate and regulate temperature.

Their ability to thrive almost anywhere makes them one of the most ubiquitous lizards in Arizona.

5. Regal Horned Lizard

The regal horned lizard truly lives up to its name. It has an ornate crown of horns on its head and sharp spikes covering its body. The flat-bodied lizards reach about 4 inches long.

They come in a mix of colors like orange, yellow, gray, and red which provides camouflage against desert soils. In Arizona, regal horned lizards occur in the southwestern and southern parts of the state.

They inhabit scrublands and semi-arid habitats with plenty of open sandy areas. Horned lizards frequently wait in the sand to ambush ants which make up the bulk of their diet. The spikes and ability to inflate their bodies make them tough prey for other animals.

6. Ornate Tree Lizard

While this lizard spends much time on the ground, ornate tree lizards are apt climbers and love basking in trees and bushes. They live across Arizona in woody desert habitats.

Reaching around 5 inches long, their bodies are brown or gray with varying patterns of stripes and markings. Males display vibrant blue-green patches on their throat and belly, especially during breeding season.

Ornate tree lizards hunt for insects and spiders during the day. They do territorial pushups and head bobs when interacting with other lizards. Check for them on branches and rocks in desert scrub and riparian areas.

7. Canyon Lizard

The canyon lizard, also called the sagebrush lizard, frequents rocky habitats across northern and central Arizona. They inhabit cliffs, boulder piles, and canyons where they can quickly dart into crevices.

Adults grow over 5 inches long and vary from gray to brown with a tan underside. Look for the white and black collar marking around the neck. Males have blue patches on their belly.

Canyon lizards mainly eat insects but also indulge in flowers, fruits, and tree sap. They do pushups and change colors to regulate temperature and show dominance. Check for them sunning on rocks throughout rocky areas in the northern half of the state.

8. Western Whiptail

The long-tailed western whiptail thrives in the hot Arizona deserts. They range across the southern half of the state. Western whiptails can reach over 12 inches long including the tail which is striped or checkered black and white.

The body is light brown with faded white stripes running down the back and sides. They actively forage for any small insects, spiders, or lizards to catch and consume. When spied by predators, western whiptails quickly take off on their long, speedy legs.

Their streamlined shape allows them to rapidly slip through vegetation as they hunt for prey. Watch for them dashing over the ground or peeking out from bushes in desert areas.

9. Desert Spiny Lizard

As the name hints, desert spiny lizards have rows of pointed scales running along their backs and tails. They inhabit southern and central Arizona, frequenting rocky desert floors and hillsides. The stocky lizards grow over 7 inches long.

They are light brown overall with dark brown blotches and white undersides. Males develop blue patches on their throat and sides. Desert spiny lizards often do pushups and throat inflation displays to show dominance.

They feast on insects but also eat some plant matter. Look for them basking or scurrying through rocky deserts and canyons.

10. Gila Monster

Though shy and elusive, no list of Arizona lizards is complete without mentioning the iconic Gila monster. They are a stout-bodied lizard that ambles slowly along the ground sniffing for prey.

Gila monsters reach up to 18 inches long and have bulbous heads and thick, black bodies decorated in pinkish-orange beadlike scales. They inhabit scrublands and rocky areas mainly across southern Arizona.

Gila monsters are one of only two venomous lizard species worldwide. They use their toxin to subdue small mammals, birds, and eggs which they mash up with their strong jaws. Though venomous, Gila monsters pose little threat to people and pets if left alone.

Getting a glimpse of a lumbering Gila monster in the wild is a highly memorable encounter.

In Conclusion

With diverse habitats ranging from mountains to deserts, Arizona provides a home for a remarkable diversity of reptiles. Lizards can be found across the state if you know their favored habitats and behavior patterns.

Watching their displays and learning to identify them by sight takes nature exploration in Arizona to a new level. So next time you’re out hiking, keep an eye peeled for these ten common lizards!