Granite Spiny Lizard

Description:

Size 3 1/4 - 4 5/8 inches long from snout to vent (8.2 - 11.7 cm). (Stebbins 2003) Up to nearly 11 inches in total length. Appearance A large, dark, lizard with large pointed keeled scales, a triangular dark wedge on the sides of the neck, and dark bands across the body. Often these crossbands are not visible when a lizard is in its dark phase and the body color matches the bands. Scales are more stronly keeled on the tail, giving it a more prickly appearance. Color is a dark rusty coppery brown to nearly black. Young lizards have a rusty head and conspicuous bands and neck markings. Males have blue on the throat and belly, and yellow and blue markings on the back along with a wide purple stripe on the back. Males also have enlarged femoral pores and a swollen tail base. Females have more distinct crossbands than males and no blue and purple coloring above or below.

Habitat:

Southern California, dessert rocks