Western Side-blotched Lizard

Description:

"A small brownish gray lizard with small smooth granular scales on the back, larger scales on the head and limbs, a gular fold, a long thin tail and a dark blue-black mark on the sides of the chest behind the front limbs, which gives this lizard its name.. This mark is sometimes faint or absent."

Habitat:

Backyard in dry, rocky area. "In California, this subspecies is found throughout the southern deserts and coastal region, north through the central valley and coast ranges to just south of the Bay Area, extending northward to the Sacramento River, and on Santa Cruz, Anacapa, San Clemente, and Catalina Ialands. Its range outside California continues into western Arizona, extreme southwestern Utah, and southern Nevada. The species as a whole ranges north into central Washington, east into west Texas, and south into Mexico, including all of Baja California."

Notes:

"The most abundant and commonly-seen lizard in the deserts and semi-arid areas. Diurnal. Usually the first lizard species out in the morning due to its small size which allows it to warm up quickly. It is active mostly on the ground, but a good climber. Often seen basking on rocks, hopping from boulder to boulder, or running quickly along the ground. Eats small invertebrates such as beetles, grasshoppers, ants, spiders, scorpions and ticks."