NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Look for lizards on sun warmed rocks during the spring through fall. Areas such as lower Monument Canyon, Devils Kitchen, and Saddlehorn Campground are all good places to observe lizards. They hunt insects, spiders, and even other lizards for food. In the winter, lizards are comfortably tucked away in dens, to wait out the colder months until it warms up again. Have you seen a lizard staring at you while doing push ups? They put on this display to defend territory or attract mates. Some lizards will display colors, such as red blotches, when they're seeking a mate or carrying eggs. Scroll down to learn more about the monument's lizards. You can help protect the lizards here by not trying to pick them up or pet them. While some lizard species can lose their tails as a way to escape predators, it takes a lot of energy for them to regrow. In the desert, every bit of energy an animal can preserve is valuable. 
NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Eastern collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris)Probably our most recognizable lizard, the male collared lizards put on an impressive display of colors. Teal bodies and bright yellow heads make them easy to spot and great in photos. While the females aren’t quite as colorful, both have the distinctive dark “collar” around their necks.
NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Long nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia wislizenii)Another commonly seen species, the long nosed leopard lizard has plenty of spots, just like its namesake. Their body is usually tan in color with brown or gray spots, but during mating season the females also develop bright red spots on their sides and the male’s throat turns red. These lizards can also drop their tails to confuse predators if they get caught!
NPS Photo Plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus)Easily confused with the common sagebrush lizard, the plateau fence lizards have spinier, more highly keeled scales. Both members of this genus can have blue sides or underbellies. These lizards are on the smaller side, measuring up to 3.5 inches long. They prey on invertebrates like insects and spiders during the cooler parts of the day.
NPS Photo Common sagebrush lizard (Sceloporus graciosus)These lizards are easily frightened, and like several others, will drop its tail if threatened by a predator. The gray or olive color of their scales help them to blend in with their surroundings, though the males often have some blue patches on their stomach beneath their legs.
NPS Photo Side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana)These lizards are relatively small, growing up to 2.5 inches long at most. In addition to the dark blotch along its side (from which it gets its common name), males can have brightly colored patches under their throats in blue, yellow, or orange! Compared to sagebrush and fence, side-blotched lizards have smaller scales overall and more skin folds along the neck.
NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Western whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis tigris)This species can reach up to a foot long, counting its tail. They often have light colored stripes along their back. The whiptail burrows to escape the harsh heat of the sun in summer and likes to eat insects or other invertebrates. If it is the one that might be eaten, it will drop its tail, which keeps moving even when detached in order to distract its attacker.
NPS Photo, courtesy of Chaco Culture NHP Plateau striped whiptail lizard (Aspidoscelis velox)This whiptail has light colored stripes that run from its head to its often-bluish tail. Like most other members of its family, all these lizards are female! They reproduce by a process called parthenogenesis, meaning all the young will be clones of their mother.
NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus)This lizard has camouflage-like brown coloring except in a couple of spots. Male tree lizards have a turquoise patch on their abdomen and a throat patch that can be just orange or orange and turquoise! This species can be found all over the southwestern United States and in Northern Mexico.
NPS Photo / VIP C DeKalb Greater short-horned lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)You might have heard the name ‘horned toad,’ but these not actually toads at all! These lizards have flat bodies with a crown of horn-like scales around the back of their head. Small, pointed scales form a line down their sides. Horned lizards have a very special way to ward off predators. They build up pressure behind their eyes and can squirt blood at their attackers! This works particularly well on canids like coyotes, foxes, and dogs. |
Last updated: January 2, 2026