Lizards of the Pajarito Plateau

Collared Lizard, Crotaphylus collaris

This large, robust lizard with a dark stripe near the throat is most commonly found in White Rock Canyon and along the southern edge of the Pajarito Plateau from late April or early May until they go into winter hibernation. They like boulder-strewn or talus slopes where they prey on grasshoppers, other lizard, eat berries, leaves and flowers. At times when startled they will run with forelegs lifted off the ground and the tail raised. This lizard does not readily lose its tail.

Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma douglasii)

This squat little lizard, sometimes called a "horny toad," has an oval shaped body and daggerlike head spines. As this lizard scurries away in a waddling movement it is hard to resist picking it up. Keeping this lizard in captivity generally results in its death because it eats hundreds of ants and cannot get enough food to survive. So be kind: don't keep this little guy, even though he looks cute! Look and leave. The lizard bears live young and can have 9-30 little ones that can fend for themselves within an hour of birth.

Prairie Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

This is one of the most widely distributed lizards in the United States and is sometimes called a "blue belly" or "swift." The main body color is gray, brown, or reddish with light stripes along either side of the back. The underside of the males have bright blue belly patches. They can be found in a variety of environments where they eat insects. These quick moving lizards will lose their tail when grasped by a predator. The tail will eventually grow back. Photo contibuted by Jill Lokke.

Whiptails, Cnemidophorus spp.

There are several species of whiptail that can be found in the area. The most common one is the Plateau striped whiptail (Cnemidophorus velox). The lizard has six distinct light-colored stripes running from head to tail with a less distict stripe down the middle of the back. The body is blackish brown and the end of the tail is blue (the whole tail of a juvenile is bright blue). They seek cover under shrubs and actively pursue insects.

Many-lined Skink, Eumeces multivargatus

(picture of juvenile)

Great Plains Skink, Eumeces obsoletus

(picture of juvenile)