California Reptiles & Amphibians

California Night Lizards - Xantusia

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Small lizards with soft skin, and smooth granular scales, found under objects and on rocks and walls at night.

Granite Night Lizard - Xantusia henshawi

The Granite Night Lizard is flat-bodied with large dark spots on a light background.
It is typically seen on large boulders at night, underneath pieces of rock on top of boulders,
or in cracks in boulders. It may be dark in color during the daytime, and lighter when active at night.

Light phase Dark phase

Sandstone Night Lizard - Xantusia gracilis

The Sandstone Night Lizard similar to the Granite Night Lizard.
It is only found in a very small area of sandstone rock formations in Anza-Borrego State Park.

Distribution of Sandstone Night Lizard

Desert Night Lizard - Xantusia vigilis

The Yucca Night Lizard is thin, and green, gray or brown, with speckles or blotches.
It is secretive and typically found underneath fallen yucca, joshua tree branches, or other debris.
It is not usually found active on the surface day or night.

Distribution of Desert Night Lizards in California (red)

Sierra Night Lizard
Xantusia sierrae

The Sierra Night Lizard inhabits a very small area of large rock outcrops in Kern County.
Related to the Yucca Night Lizard, its blotches often form a network on the back.

Distribution of Sierra Night Lizards in California (green)

Island Night Lizard - Xantusia riversiana

This large, fat-bodied night lizard is only found on several of the Channel Islands where it can be very
abundant underneath surface objects. Although it is active in the daytime, it is rarely observed on the surface. Two subspecies are recognized. Only one is covered here.

Distribution of Island Night Lizards