Lizards Around Las Vegas
Wildlife Around Las Vegas

More than 20 species of harmless lizards can be found around Las Vegas, but only a few are common. The most common lizards are the small Side-blotched Lizards; almost every small lizard scurrying away under a rock or creosote bush is a side-blotched. Collared Lizards are common on rocky hillsides, and Desert Iguanas and Zebra-tailed Lizards are common in sandy flats. Desert Spiny Lizards and their cousins (the "blue belly" lizards) are common at Red Rocks and in the mountains. After you learn to recognize the common lizards, it will be easier to recognize the less common species.

Gila (pronounced "he' la") Monsters are the only venomous lizards around Las Vegas, but they are rare and seldom seen; although people often mistake Chuckwallas for Gilas. If you see one, count yourself among the lucky and leave it alone.
 
Mojave Black-collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)
Great Basin Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)
Leopard Lizard
Longnose Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)
Desert Iguana
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis)
Chuckwalla
Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus obesus)
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus draconoides)
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma scoparia)
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard (Uma scoparia)
Horned Lizard
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum)
Sagebrush Lizard
Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus)
Spiny Lizard
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)
Western Fence Lizard
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis)
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Side-blotched Lizard
Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana)
Tree Lizard
Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)
Long-tailed†Brush Lizard (Urosaurus graciosus)
Long-tailed Brush Lizard (Urosaurus graciosus)
Desert Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)
Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus)
Mediterranean Gecko Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)
Desert Night Lizard (Xantusia vigilis) Desert Night Lizard (Xantusia vigilis)
Whiptail Lizard
Western (Great Basin) Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)
Gilbert Skink (Eumeces gilberti)
Gilbert Skink (Eumeces gilberti)
Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus)
Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus)
Photo © William Flaxington 2007
Panamint Alligator Lizard (Elgaria panamintina)
Desert Iguana
(Banded) Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectus cinctum)
 
Thanks for coming to visit!
© Jim Boone; Last updated 080706
 
  Wildlife Around Las Vegas Glossary Copyright, Conditions, Disclaimer Jim Boone's Home Page

 

Google Ads