California Lizards

 
Scientific Names Common Names



 

Below is a complete llst of lizards occuring naturally in California, including introduced species with well-established populations.
The list is organized by families and ordered by scientific name and also by common name.
Follow the links for information and pictures illustrating each animal and its habitat.

This list is based on the lists published by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. This taxonomy is not universally accepted. For comparison, the names used by two other authorities - Robert Stebbins' Western Field Guide, and the Center for North American Herpetology - are listed to the right.

Listed by Scientific Names
Following the SSAR list Following Robert Stebbins' 2003 Western Field Guide Following the CNAH online list (updated 11/07)
     
Squamata - Lizards    
     
Anguidae - Alligator Lizards & Allies    
Elgaria - Western Alligator Lizards    

  E. coerulea - Northern Alligator Lizard
   
      E. c. coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard E. c. coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard E. c. coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard
      E. c. palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard E. c. palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard E. c. palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard
      E. c. shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard E. c. shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard E. c. shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard
      E. c. principis - Northwestern Alligator Lizard E. c. principis - Northwestern Alligator Lizard E. c. principis - Northern Alligator Lizard
  E. multicarinata - Southern Alligator Lizard    
      E. m. multicarinata - California Alligator Lizard E. m. multicarinata - California Alligator Lizard E. m. multicarinata - California Alligator Lizard
      E. m. scincicauda - Oregon Alligator Lizard E. m. scincicauda - Oregon Alligator Lizard E. m. scincicauda - Oregon Alligator Lizard
      E. m. webbii - San Diego Alligator Lizard E. m. webbii - San Diego Alligator Lizard E. m. webbii - San Diego Alligator Lizard
  E. panamintina - Panamint Alligator Lizard E. panamintina - Panamint Alligator Lizard E. panamintina - Panamint Alligator Lizard
     
Anniellidae - North American Legless lizards    
Anniella - North American Legless Lizards    
  A. pulchra - California Legless Lizard A. p. pulchra - Silvery Legless Lizard and
A. p. nigra - Black Legless Lizard (2 subspecies)
A. p. pulchra - Silvery Legless Lizard and
A. p. nigra - Black Legless Lizard
     
Crotaphytidae - Collared and Leopard Lizards    
Crotaphytus - Collared Lizards    
  C. bicinctores - Great Basin Collared Lizard C. bicinctores - Great Basin Collared Lizard C. bicinctores - Mojave Black-collared Lizard
  C. vestigium - Baja California Collared Lizard C. vestigium - Baja California Collared Lizard C. vestigium - Baja Black-collared Lizard
Gambelia - Leopard Lizards    
  G. copeii - Cope's Leopard Lizard G. copeii - Cope's Leopard Lizard G. copeii - Cope's Leopard Lizard
  G. sila - Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard G. sila - Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard G. sila - Bluntnose Leopard Lizard
  G. wislizenii - Long-nosed Leopard Lizard G. wislizenii - Long-nosed Leopard Lizard G. wislizenii - Longnose Leopard Lizard
     
Gekkonidae - Geckos    
Coleonyx - Banded Geckos    
  C. switaki - Switak's Banded Gecko (No subspecies recognized)  
      C. s. switaki - Peninsular Banded Gecko C. switaki - Barefoot Gecko C. s. switaki - Peninsular Barefoot Gecko
  C. variegatus - Western Banded Gecko    
      C. v. abbotti - San Diego Banded Gecko C. v. abbotti - San Diego Banded Gecko C. v. abbotti - San Diego Banded Gecko
      C. v. variegatus - Desert Banded Gecko C. v. variegatus - Desert Banded Gecko C. v. variegatus - Desert Banded Gecko
Phyllodactylus - Leaf-toed Geckos    
  P. nocticolus - Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko P. xanti nocticolus - Leaf-toed Gecko P. n. nocticolus - Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko
Hemidactylus - House Geckos    
  H. turcicus - Mediterranean House Gecko  I H. turcicus - Mediterranean House Gecko Not listed
Tarentola - Wall Geckos    
  T. mauritanica - Moorish Wall Gecko  I T. mauritanica - Moorish Wall Gecko Not listed
     
Helodermatidae - Venomous Lizards    
Heloderma - Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards    
  H. suspectum - Gila Monster    
      H. s. cinctum - Banded Gila Monster H. s. cinctum - Banded Gila Monster H. s. cinctum - Banded Gila Monster
     
Iguanidae - Iguanian Lizards    
Dipsosaurus - Desert Iguanas    
  D. dorsalis - Desert Iguana (No subspecies recognized)  
      D. d. dorsalis - Northern Desert Iguana D. dorsalus - Desert Iguana D. d. dorsalis - Desert Iguana
Sauromalus - Chuckwallas    
  S. ater - Common Chuckwalla S. obesus - Common Chuckwalla S. obesus - Chuckwalla
     
Phrynosomatidae - Zebra-tailed, Earless, Fringe-toed, Spiny, Tree, Side-blotched, and Horned Lizards    
Callisaurus - Zebra-tailed Lizards    
  C. draconoides - Zebra-tailed Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
    C. d. rhodostictus - Western Zebra-tailed Lizard C. d. draconoides - Common Zebra-tailed Lizard C. d. rhodostictus - Mojave Zebratail Lizard
Petrosaurus - California Rock Lizards    
  P. mearnsi - Banded Rock Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
    P. m. mearnsi - Mearns' Rock Lizard P. mearnsi - Banded Rock Lizard P. mearnsi - Banded Rock Lizard
Phrynosoma - Horned Lizards    
  P. (Anota) blainvillii (coronatum) - Blainville's (Coast) Horned Lizard P. coronatum - Coast Horned Lizard P. coronatum - Coast Horned Lizard
  P. (Tapaja) douglasii - Pygmy Short-horned Lizard P. douglasii - Pigmy Short-horned Lizard P. douglasii -
Northwestern Short-horned Lizard
  P. (Anota) mcallii - Flat-tail Horned Lizard P. mcallii - Flat-tailed Horned Lizard P. mcallii - Flat-tail Horned Lizard
  P. platyrhinos - Desert Horned Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
      P. (Doliosaurus) p. calidiarum - Southern Desert Horned Lizard P. platyrhinos - Desert Horned Lizard P. p. calidiarum - Southern Desert Horned Lizard
      P. (Doliosaurus) p. platyrhinos - Northern Desert Horned Lizard P. platyrhinos - Desert Horned Lizard P. p. platyrhinos - Northern Desert Horned Lizard
Sceloporus - Spiny Lizards    
  S. graciosus - Common Sagebrush Lizard    
      S. g. gracilis - Western Sagebrush Lizard S. g. gracilis - Western Sagebrush Lizard S. g. gracilis - Western Sagebrush Lizard
      S. g. graciosus - Northern Sagebrush Lizard S. g. graciosus - Northern Sagebrush Lizard S. g. graciosus - Northern Sagebrush Lizard
      S. g. vandenburgianus - Southern Sagebrush Lizard S. g. vandenburgianus - Southern Sagebrush Lizard S. vandenburgianus -
Southern Sagebrush Lizard
  S. magister - Desert Spiny Lizard (No subspecies recognized) (No subspecies recognized)
      S. m. uniformis - Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard S. magister - Desert Spiny Lizard S. magister - Desert Spiny Lizard
      S. m. transversus - Barred Spiny Lizard S. magister - Desert Spiny Lizard S. magister - Desert Spiny Lizard
  S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
      S. o. becki - Island Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. becki - Island Fence Lizard
      S. o. biseriatus - San Joaquin Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. o. biseriatus - San Joaquin Fence Lizard
      S. o. bocourtii - Coast Range Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. o. bocourtii - Coast Range Fence Lizard
      S. o. longipes - Great Basin Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. o. longipes - Great Basin Fence Lizard
      S. o. occidentalis - Northwestern Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. o. occidentalis -
Northwestern Fence Lizard
      S. o. taylori - Sierra Fence Lizard S. occidentalis - Western Fence Lizard S. o. taylori - Sierra Fence Lizard
  S. orcutti - Granite Spiny Lizard S. orcutti - Granite Spiny Lizard S. orcutti - Granite Spiny Lizard
Uma - Fringe-toed Lizards    
  U. inornata - Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard U. inornata - Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard U. inornata - Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
  U. notata - Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard U. notata - Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard U. notata - Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
  U. scoparia - Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard U. scoparia - Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard U. scoparia - Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
Urosaurus - Tree & Bush Lizards    
  U. graciosus - Long-tailed Brush Lizard U. graciosus - Long-tailed Brush Lizard U. graciosus - Brush Lizard
  U. nigricaudus - Baja California Brush Lizard U. nigricaudus - Black-tailed Brush Lizard U. nigricaudus - Blacktail Brush Lizard
  U. ornatus - Ornate Tree Lizard (No subspecies recognized) (No subspecies recognized)
      U. o. symmetricus - Colorado River Tree Lizard U. ornatus - Ornate Tree Lizard U. ornatus - Tree Lizard
Uta - Side-blotched Lizards    
  U. stansburiana - Common Side-blotched Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
      U. s. elegans - Western Side-blotched Lizard U. stansburiana - Common Side-blotched Lizard U. s. elegans - California Side-blotched Lizard
      U. s. nevadensis - Nevada Side-blotched Lizard U. stansburiana - Common Side-blotched Lizard U. s. nevadensis - Nevada Side-blotched Lizard
      U. s. stansburiana - Northern Side-blotched Lizard U. stansburiana - Common Side-blotched Lizard U. s. stansburiana - Northern Side-blotched Lizard
     
Scincidae - Skinks    
Eumeces - Great Skinks (=Plestiodon - Toothy Skinks)    
  E. "gilberti"- Gilbert's Skink    
      E. (Plestiodon) g. cancellosus - Variegated Skink E. g. cancellosus - Variegated Skink E. g. cancellosus - Variegated Skink
      E. (Plestiodon) g. gilberti - Greater Brown Skink E. g. gilberti - Greater Brown Skink E. g. gilberti - Greater Brown Skink
      E. (Plestiodon) g. placerensis - Northern Brown Skink E. g. placerensis - Northern Brown Skink E. g. placerensis - Northern Brown Skink
      E. (Plestiodon) g. rubricaudatus - Western Red-tailed Skink E. g. rubricaudatus - Western Red-tailed Skink E. g. rubricaudatus - Western Redtail Skink
  E. skiltonianus - Western Skink    
      E. (Plestiodon) s. interparietalis - Coronado Skink E. s. skiltonianus - Skilton's Skink E. s. interparietalis - Coronado Island Skink
      E. (Plestiodon) s. skiltonianus - Skilton's Skink E. s. skiltonianus - Skilton's Skink E. s. skiltonianus - Western Skink
     
Teiidae - Whiptails & Racerunners    
Aspidoscelis - Whiptails (formerly Cnemidophorus) Cnemidophorus - Whiptails Cnemidophorus - Whiptails
 A. hyperythra - Orange-throated Whiptail (No subspecies recognized) (No subspecies recognized)
      A. h. beldingi - Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail C. hyperythrus - Orange-throated Whiptail C. hyperythrus - Orange-throated Whiptail
 A. tigris - Tiger Whiptail    
      A. t. stejnegeri - Coastal Whiptail C. t. stejnegeri - Coastal Whiptail C. t. stejnegeri - Coastal Whiptail
      A. t. munda - California Whiptail C. t. mundus - California Whiptail C. t. mundus - California Whiptail
      A. t. tigris - Great Basin Whiptail C. t. tigris - Great Basin Whiptail C. t. tigris - Great Basin Whiptail
     
Xantusiidae - Night Lizards    
Xantusia - Night Lizards    
  X. gracilis - Sandstone Night Lizard X. h. gracilis - Sandstone Night Lizard X. gracilis - Sandstone Night Lizard
  X. henshawi - Granite Night Lizard X. h. henshawi - Granite Night Lizard X. henshawi - Granite Night Lizard
  Xantusia riversiana - Island Night Lizard (No subspecies recognized)  
      X. r. reticulata - San Clemente Night Lizard X. riversiana - Island Night Lizard X. r. reticulata - San Clemente Night Lizard
      X. r. riversiana - San Nicolas Night Lizard X. riversiana - Island Night Lizard X. r. riversiana - San Nicolas Night Lizard
  X. sierrae - Sierra Night Lizard X. v. sierrae - Sierra Night Lizard X. v. sierrae - Sierra Night Lizard
  X. vigilis - Desert Night Lizard X. v. vigilis - Yucca Night Lizard X. v. vigilis - Desert Night Lizard
  X. wigginsi - Baja California Night Lizard X. v. wigginsi - Baja California Night Lizard Not listed
     
Chamaeleonidae - Chameleons    
Chamaeleo - Chameleons    
  C. jacksonii - Jackson's Chameleon    
      C. j. xantholophus - Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon  I C. j. xantholophus - Yellow-crested Jackson's Chameleon not listed
     
     
I = Introduced - not native to California    
F = Formerly present, now probably extinct in California    
     
Listed by Common Names
Following the SSAR list Following Robert Stebbins' 2003 Western Field Guide Following the CNAH online list (updated 11/07)
     
Alligator Lizards    
     
Northern Alligator Lizards    
Northwestern Alligator Lizard Northwestern Alligator Lizard Northern Alligator Lizard
San Francisco Alligator Lizard San Francisco Alligator Lizard San Francisco Alligator Lizard
Shasta Alligator Lizard Shasta Alligator Lizard Shasta Alligator Lizard
Sierra Alligator Lizard Sierra Alligator Lizard Sierra Alligator Lizard
     
Southern Alligator Lizards    
California Alligator Lizard California Alligator Lizard California Alligator Lizard
Oregon Alligator Lizard Oregon Alligator Lizard Oregon Alligator Lizard
San Diego Alligator Lizard San Diego Alligator Lizard San Diego Alligator Lizard
     
Panamint Alligator Lizard Panamint Alligator Lizard Panamint Alligator Lizard
     
Brush Lizard    
Long-tailed Brush Lizard Long-tailed Brush Lizard Brush Lizard
     
Chameleons    
Jackson's Chameleon I Jackson's Chameleon  
     
Chuckwallas    
Common Chuckwalla Common Chuckwalla Chuckwalla
     
Collared Lizards    
Baja California Collared Lizard Baja California Collared Lizard Baja Black-collared Lizard
Great Basin Collared Lizard Great Basin Collared Lizard Mojave Black-collared Lizard
     
Fence Lizards (Blue-bellies, Swifts)    
Western Fence Lizard    
Coast Range Fence Lizard Coast Range Fence Lizard Coast Range Fence Lizard
Great Basin Fence Lizard Great Basin Fence Lizard Great Basin Fence Lizard
Island Fence Lizard Island Fence Lizard Island Fence Lizard
Northwestern Fence Lizard Northwestern Fence Lizard Northwestern Fence Lizard
San Joaquin Fence Lizard San Joaquin Fence Lizard San Joaquin Fence Lizard
Sierra Fence Lizard Sierra Fence Lizard Sierra Fence Lizard
     
Fringe-toed Lizards    
Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
Sonoran Fringe-toed Lizard Sonoran Fringe-toed Lizard Sonoran Fringe-toed Lizard
     
Geckos    
Desert Banded Gecko Desert Banded Gecko Desert Banded Gecko
Mediterranean House Gecko  I Mediterranean House Gecko Mediterranean House Gecko
Moorish Wall Gecko  I Moorish Wall Gecko Moorish Wall Gecko
Peninsular Banded Gecko Barefoot Gecko Peninsular Barefoot Gecko
Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko
San Diego Banded Gecko San Diego Banded Gecko San Diego Banded Gecko
     
Gila Monster    
Banded Gila Monster Banded Gila Monster Banded Gila Monster
     
Horned Lizards    
Blainville's (Coast) Horned Lizard Coast Horned Lizard Coast Horned Lizard
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Northern Desert Horned Lizard Desert Horned Lizard Northern Desert Horned Lizard
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard Pygmy Short-horned Lizard Northwestern Short-horned Lizard
Southern Desert Horned Lizard Desert Horned Lizard Southern Desert Horned Lizard
     
Iguanas    
Northern Desert Iguana Desert Iguana Desert Iguana
     
Legless Lizards    
California Legless Lizard Silvery Legless Lizard/Black Legless Lizard (2 subspecies) Silvery Legless Lizard/Black Legless Lizard
     
Leopard Lizards    
Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard Bluntnose Leopard Lizard
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Longnose Leopard Lizard
     
Night Lizards    
Baja California Night Lizard Baja California Night Lizard Not listed
Granite Night Lizard Granite Night Lizard Granite Night Lizard
Sandstone Night Lizard Sandstone Night Lizard Sandstone Night Lizard
Island Night Lizard    
San Clemente Night Lizard San Clemente Night Lizard San Clemente Night Lizard
San Nicolas Night Lizard San Nicolas Night Lizard San Nicolas Night Lizard
Desert Night Lizard    
Sierra Night Lizard Sierra Night Lizard Sierra Night Lizard
Yucca Night Lizard Yucca Night Lizard Desert Night Lizard
     
Rock Lizards    
Mearns' Rock Lizard Banded Rock Lizard Banded Rock Lizard
     
Sagebrush Lizards    
Western Sagebrush Lizard Western Sagebrush Lizard Western Sagebrush Lizard
Northern Sagebrush Lizard Northern Sagebrush Lizard Northern Sagebrush Lizard
Southern Sagebrush Lizard Southern Sagebrush Lizard Southern Sagebrush Lizard
     
Side-blotched Lizards    
Northern Side-blotched Lizard Common Sideblotched Lizard Northern Side-blotched Lizard
Nevada Side-blotched Lizard Common Sideblotched Lizard Nevada Side-blotched Lizard
Western Side-blotched Lizard Common Sideblotched Lizard California Sideblotched Lizard
     
Skinks    
Gilbert's Skinks    
Variegated Skink Variegated Skink Variegated Skink
Greater Brown Skink Greater Brown Skink Greater Brown Skink
Northern Brown Skink Northern Brown Skink Northern Brown Skink
Western Red-tailed Skink Western Red-tailed Skink Western Redtail Skink
Western Skinks    
Coronado Skink Skilton's Skink Coronado Island Skink
Skilton's Skink Skilton's Skink Western Skink
     
Spiny Lizards    
Desert Spiny Lizards    
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard Desert Spiny Lizard Desert Spiny Lizard
Barred Spiny Lizard Desert Spiny Lizard Desert Spiny Lizard
Granite Spiny Lizard Granite Spiny Lizard Granite Spiny Lizard
     
Tree Lizards    
Baja California Brush Lizard Black-tailed Brush Lizard Blacktail Brush Lizard
Colorado River Tree Lizard Ornate Tree Lizard Tree Lizard
     
Whiptails    
Belding's Orange Throated Whiptail Orange-throated Whiptail Orange-throated Whiptail
California Whiptail California Whiptail California Whiptail
Coastal Whiptail Coastal Whiptail Coastal Whiptail
Great Basin Whiptail Great Basin Whiptail Great Basin Whiptail
     
Zebra-tailed Lizards    
Western Zebra-tailed Lizard Common Zebra-tailed Lizard Mojave Zebratail Lizard
     
I  = Introduced    
F = Formerly present, now probably extinct in California    
     


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