A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

California Lizards - World Range Maps

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These maps are an approximate illustration of the worldwide distribution of established native and non-native species of lizards that inhabit California. They are designed to give a general idea of where each lizards might be found. Lizards are expected to be found within the colored area in places where suitable habitat and conditions occur. In some cases, the current range may be fragmented or considerably diminished from the range illustrated here. This page has more detailed maps of the distribution of lizards in California only. Click on the name link for pictures and information about lizards that are found in California. On the top left side of those pages you can find links to more pictures of the lizards from other areas besides California, if available. Related lizards that do not occur in California are listed below the California snakes. If pictures are available for them their name will also have a blue link. More Lists and Information About California Lizards
Northern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria coerulea	Southern Alligator Lizard - Elgaria multicarinata	Panamint Alligator Lizard - Elgaria panamintina

Red: Elgaria coerulea coerulea - San Francisco Alligator Lizard Green: E. c. palmeri - Sierra Alligator Lizard Dark Blue: E. c. shastensis - Shasta Alligator Lizard Purple: E. c. principis - Northwestern Alligator Lizard Gray: Approximate area of intergradation	Red: Elgaria multicarinata - Southern Alligator Lizard	Red: Elgaria panamintina - Panamint Alligator Lizard
American Legless Lizards - Anniella	Collared Lizards - Crotaphytus	Leopard Lizards - Gambelia

Bright Green: Anniella alexanderae - Temblor Legless Lizard Green: Anniella campi - Southern Sierra Legless Lizard Orange: Anniella grinnelli - Bakersfield Legless Lizard Purple: Anniella pulchra - Northern California Legless Lizard Bright Blue: Anniella pulchra nigra - Black Legless Lizard Dark Blue: Anniella stebbinsi - Southern California Legless Lizard Gray: Area where Anniella is present but the species has not yet been determined - Not found in California Yellow: Anniella geronimensis - Baja California Legless Lizard	Red: Crotaphytus bicinctores - Great Basin Collared Lizard Green: Crotaphytus vestigium - Baja California Collared Lizard - Not found in California Gray: Crotaphytus antiquus - Venerable Collared Lizard Dark Blue: Crotaphytus collaris - Eastern Collared Lizard (+ Texas / Misc.) Bright Blue: Crotaphytus dickersonae - Sonoran Collared Lizard Orange: Crotaphytus grismeri - Grismer's Collared Lizard Pink: Crotaphytus insularis - Isla Angel de la Guarda Collared Lizard (Black Collared Lizard) Yellow: Crotaphytus nebrius - Sonoran Collared Lizard Purple: Crotaphytus reticulatus - Reticulate Collared Lizard	Green: Gambelia sila - Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard Red: Gambelia wislizenii - Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Dark Blue: Gambelia copei - Baja California Leopard Lizard
Peninsular Banded Gecko	Western Banded Gecko - Coleonyx variegatus	Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko - Phyllodactylus nocticolus

Red: Coleonyx switaki switaki - Peninsula Banded Gecko - Not found in California Bright Green: Coleonyx switaki gypsicolus - Isla San Marcos Barefoot Gecko	Dark Blue: Coleonyx variegatus abbotti - San Diego Banded Gecko Red: Coleonyx variegatus variegatus - Desert Banded Gecko - Not found in California Green: Coleonyx variegatus bogerti - Tucson Banded Gecko Orange: Coleonyx variegatus peninsularis - San Lucan Banded Gecko Yellow: Coleonyx variegatus sonoriensis - Sonoran Banded Gecko Purple: Coleonyx variegatus utahensis - Utah Banded Gecko	Red: Phyllodactylus nocticolus - Peninsular Leaf-toed Gecko
Gila Monster - Heloderma suspectum	Desert Iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis	Common Chuckwalla - Sauromalus ater

Orange: Heloderma suspectum cinctum - Banded Gila Monster - Not found in California Red: Heloderma suspectum suspectum - Reticulate Gila Monster	Red: Dipsosaurus dorsalis dorsalis - Northern Desert Iguana - Not found in California Bright Green: Dipsosaurus dorsalis catalinensis - Isla Santa Catalina Desert Iguana Blue: Dipsosaurus dorsalis lucasensis - San Lucan Desert Iguana Yellow: Dipsosaurus dorsalis sonoriensis - Sonoran Desert Iguana	Red: Sauromalus ater - Common Chuckwalla
Zebra-tailed Lizard - Callisaurus draconoides	Banded Rock Lizard - Petrosaurus mearnsi	Horned Lizards - Phronosoma coronatum complex

Red: Callisaurus draconoides rhodostictus - Western Zebra-tailed Lizard -Not found in California Dark Purple: Callisaurus draconoides bogerti - Sinaloa Zebra-tailed Lizard Violet: Callisaurus draconoides brevipes - Short-footed Zebra-tailed Lizard Green: Callisaurus draconoides carmenensis - Carmen Island Zebra-tailed Lizard Dark Blue: Callisaurus draconoides crinitus - Viscaino Zebra-tailed Lizard Red: Callisaurus draconoides draconoides - Zebra-tailed Lizard Bright Green: Callisaurus draconoides inusitanus - Sonora Zebra-tailed Lizard (Isla Tiburon) Yellow: Callisaurus draconoides myurus - Northern Zebra-tailed Lizard Bright Blue: Callisaurus draconoides splendidus - Angel Island Zebra-tailed Lizard Purple: Callisaurus draconoides ventralis - Eastern Zebra-tailed Lizard	Red: Petrosaurus mearnsi mearnsi - Banded Rock Lizard - Not found in California Bright Green: Petrosaurus mearnsi sleveni - Slevin's Banded Rock Lizard	Red: Phrynosoma blainvillii - Coast Horned Lizard - Not found in California Green: Phrynosoma cerroense - Cedros Island Horned Lizard Dark Blue: Phrynosoma coronatum - Cape Horned Lizard
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard - Phrynosoma douglasii	Flat-tailed Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma mcallii	Desert Horned Lizard - Phrynosoma platyrhinos

Red: Phrynosoma douglasii - Pygmy Short-horned Lizard	Red: Phrynosoma mcallii - Flat-tailed Horned Lizard	Red: Phrynosoma platyrhinos calidiarum - Southern Desert Horned Lizard Dark Blue: Phrynosoma platyrhinos platyrhinos - Northern Desert Horned Lizard - Not found in California Yellow: Phrynosoma goodei - Goode's Desert Horned Lizard
Sagebrush Lizards - Sceloporus graciosus & S. vandenburgianus	Desert Spiny Lizard - Sceloporus magister	Western Fence Lizard Complex - Sceloporus occidentalis & becki

Orange: Sceloporus graciosus gracilis - Western Sagebrush Lizard Red: Sceloporus graciosus graciosus - Northern Sagebrush Lizard Dark Blue: Sceloporus vandenburgianus - Southern Sagebrush Lizard	Red: Sceloporus magister magister - Sonoran Desert Spiny Lizard Yellow: Sceloporus magister uniformis - Northern Desert Spiny Lizard	Bright Green: Sceloporus becki - Island Fence Lizard Bright Blue: Sceloporus occidentalis biseriatus -San Joaquin Fence Lizard Dark Blue: Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii - Coast Range Fence Lizard Orange: Sceloporus occidentalis longipes - Great Basin Fence Lizard Red: Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis - Northwestern Fence Lizard Purple: Sceloporus occidentalis taylori - Sierra Fence Lizard
Granite Spiny Lizard - Sceloporus orcutti	Fringe-toed Lizards - Uma	Western Long-tailed Brush Lizard - Urosaurus graciosus

Red: Sceloporus orcutti - Granite Spiny Lizard	Green: Uma inornata - Coachlla Fringe-toed Lizard Dark Blue: Uma notata - Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard Red: Uma scoparia - Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard - Not found in California Orange: Uma cowlesi - Yuman Desert Fringe-toed Lizard Bright Green: Uma exsul - Fringe-toed Sand Lizard Bright Blue: Uma paraphygas - Chihuahuan Fringe-toed Lizard Yellow - Uma rufopunctata - Yuman Desert Fringe-tod Lizard (Hybrids) Pink: Uma thurmanae - Mohawk Dunes Fringe-toed Lizard	Red: Urosaurus graciosus graciosus - Western Long-tailed Brush Lizard - Not found in California Purple: Urosaurus graciosus graciosus - Arizona Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Small-scaled Lizard - Urosaurus microscutatus	Ornate Tree Lizards - Urosaurus ornatus	Common Side-blotched Lizard - Uta stansburiana

Red: Urosaurus microscutatus -Small-scaled Lizard	Purple: Urosaurus ornatus symmetricus - Colorado River Tree Lizard - Not found in California Orange: Urosaurus ornatus levis - Smooth Tree Lizard Red: Urosaurus ornatus ornatus - Texas Tree Lizard Dark Blue: Urosaurus ornatus schmidti - Big Bend Tree Lizard Green: Urosaurus ornatus schottii - Schott's Tree Lizard Yellow: Urosaurus ornatus wrighti - Northern Tree Lizard Bright Blue: Mexican Subspecies (names and ranges not known)	Dark Blue: Uta stansburiana elegans - Western Side-blotched Lizard Green: Uta stansburiana nevadensis -Nevada Side-blotched Lizard - Not found in California Red: Uta stansburiana stansburiana - Northern Side-blotched Lizard Yellow: Uta stansburiana stejnegeri - Eastern Side-blotched Lizard Orange: Uta stansburiana uniformis - Plateau Side-blotched Lizard
Gilbert's Skink - Plestiodon gilberti	Western Skink - Plestiodon skiltonianus	Orange-throated Whiptail - Aspidoscelis hyperythra

Orange: Plestiodon gilberti cancellosus - Variegated Skink Red: Plestiodon gilberti gilberti - Greater Brown Skink Purple: Plestiodon gilberti placerensis - Northern Brown Skink Green: Plestiodon gilberti rubricaudatus - Western Red-tailed Skink Gray: General area of intergradation	Red: Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus - Northwestern Skink (= Skilton's Skink) Dark Blue: Plestiodon skiltonianus interparietalis - Coronado Skink Green: Plestiodon skiltonianus utahensis - Great Basin Skink	Dark Blue: Aspidoscelis hyperythra beldingi - Belding's Orange-throated Whiptail - Not found in California Red: Aspidoscelis hyperythra hyperythra - Cape Orange-throated Whiptail
Western (Tiger) Whiptail - Aspidoscelis tigris	Northern Night Lizards - Xantusia

Dark Blue: Aspidoscelis tigris stejnegeri - Coastal Whiptail Orange: Aspidoscelis tigris munda - California Whiptail Red: Aspidoscelis tigris tigris - Great Basin Whiptail - Not found in California Green: Aspidoscelis tigris puctilinealis - Sonoran Tiger Whiptail Bright Blue: Aspidoscelis tigris rubidus - Reddish Whiptail Purple: Aspidoscelis tigris septentrionalis - Plateau Tiger Whiptail Yellow: Miscelaneous Mexican subspecies	Bright Pink: Xantusia gracilis - Sandstone Night Lizard Blue: Xantusia henshawi - Granite Night Lizard Darker Blue: Overlap of Xantusia henshawi and Xantusia wigginsi Bright Blue: Xantusia sierrae - Sierra Night Lizard Bright Green: Xantusia riversiana reticulata - San Clemente Night Lizard Yellow: Xantusia riversiana riversiana - San Nicolas Night Lizard Red: Xantusia vigilis - Desert Night Lizard Green: Xantusia wigginsi - Wiggins' Night Lizard - Not found in California Orange: Xantusia arizonae - Arizona Night Lizard Purple: Xantusia bezyi - Bezy's Night Lizard

Non-Native Lizard Species Established in California

Green Anole - Anolis carolinensis	Brown Anole - Anolis sagrei	Sonoran Spotted Whiptail - Aspidoscelis sonorae

Red: Anolis Carolinensis carolinensis - Green Anole - Not found in California Bright Green: Anolis carolinensis seminolus - Southern Green Anole	Red: Anolis sagrei - Brown Anole Approximate native range and range of introductions anywhere within the red areas. (Also reported at scattered locations throughout the eastern U.S.A.)	Red: Native range of Aspidoscelis sonorae - Sonoran Spotted Whiptail Purple: Non-native populations
Common Checkered Whiptail - Aspidoscelis tesselatus	Rough-tailed Gecko - Cyrtopodion scabrum

Red: Aspidoscelis tesselatus - Common Checkered Whiptail	Red: Cyrtopodion scabrum - Rough-tailed Gecko - Introduced Populations	Red: Cyrtopodion scabrum - Rough-tailed Gecko - Native range
Indo-Pacific Gecko - Hemidactylus garnotii	Tropical House Gecko - Hemidactylus mabouia	Flat-tailed House Gecko - Hemidactylus platyurus

Red: Hemidactylus garnotii - Indo-Pacific Gecko Approximate native range and some other locations where this gecko has been observed and could be established.	Approximate range of Hemidactylus mabouia - Tropical House Gecko (Found at scattered locations within but not throughout the colored sections.) Dark Blue: Native range Red: Non-native range	Red: Hemidactylus platyurus - Flat-tailed House Gecko Approximate native range and some other locations where this gecko has been observed and could be established.
Mediterranean Gecko - Hemidactylus turcicus		African Five-lined Skink - Trachylepis Quinquetaeniata

Red: Hemidactylus turcicus - Mediterranean Gecko - Introduced populations in North America	Red: Hemidactylus turcicus - Mediterranean Gecko Approximate native range in the Mediterranean region and some other locations where this gecko has been observed and could be established.	Trachylepis Quinquetaeniata - African Five-lined Skink Approximate area where this skink occurs natually in Africa is inside the dotted red lines. Other red dots show locations of relict or introduced populations.
Yellow Fan-fingered Gecko - Ptyodactylus hasselquistii		Jackson's Chameleon - Trioceros jacksonii

Red: Ptyodactylus hasselquistii - Yellow Fan-Fingered Gecko - Introduced population in California	Red: Ptyodactylus hasselquistii - Yellow Fan-Fingered Gecko - Native range	Red: Trioceros jacksonii - Jackson's Chameleon - Native range in east Africa and some introduced populations
Italian Wall Lizard - Podarcis siculus		Ringed Wall Gecko - Tarentola annularis

Red: Podaris siculus - Italian Wall Lizard - Some of the introduced populations in North America	Red: Podaris siculus - Italian Wall Lizard - Native range	Red: Tarentola annularis - Ringed Wall Gecko Approximate native range in Africa and some other locations where this gecko has been observed and could be established.
Moorish Gecko - Tarentola mauritanica	Ocellated Skink - Chalcides ocellatus	Bosc's Fringe-toed Lizard - Acanthodactylus boskianus

Red: Tarentola mauritanica - Moorish Gecko Approximate native range in the Mediterranean region and some other locations where this gecko has been observed and could be established.	Red: Approximate native range of Chalcides ocellatus - Ocellated Skink	Red: Acanthodactylus boskianus - Bosc's Fringe-toed Lizard Red indicates an estimate of the natural range of this lizard, with. It is most likely found in more areas than shown here. Question marks indicate a country where the species has been listed as occurring, but the exact locations are not known.

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