Desert spiny lizard, Palm Springs

When I first saw this lizard, I thought it was a collard lizard due to the black neck ring it sported.  Later research proved that wrong, however, and I determined it was a spiny lizard instead.  There are a variety of spiny lizard species, this one being a desert spiny lizard.  They are relatively small, having a snout-vent length of about 5 inches.  The tail is usually longer than this, producing a full-grown adult longer than 10 inches.  This one was probably 6 inches from tip to tip.

These lizards feed on a variety of insects but will also take leaves and berries.  They are diurnal, meaning that they are active during the day.  They will, like most lizards, seek out shade or sun depending on their core temperature.  By moving from one zone to another, they can maintain a desirable body temperature.  This method of controlling their internal body temperature is called thermal regulation.

I was hoping to find more in the way of lizards where we are staying in Palm Springs, but the resident road runner (yesterday's blog) seems to have had a mitigating effect on their population.  The week is young though, and maybe I will have more luck tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.

Eric Svendsen     www.ericspix.com