California rock lizard


The California rock lizards are a genus of New World lizards in the family Phrynosomatidae.

Geographic range

They are endemic to southern California, United States, and Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Habitat

This lizard species lives almost exclusively on rock outcrops, boulder piles, and canyon walls, where it shelters under rocks. Their habitat consists of arid and semiarid foothills and canyons along the western margin of the Colorado Desert.

Reproduction

The courtship begins shortly after emergence in early spring. The eggs are laid around June and July.

Predators

The few predators that could pursue this lizard are collared lizards and avian predators, such as hawks, ravens, and roadrunners.

Species

The genus Petrosaurus contains four species.
ImageScientific nameCommon nameDistribution
Petrosaurus mearnsi banded rock lizardsouthern California, United States, and Baja California, Mexico
Petrosaurus repens Baja California and Baja California Sur, Mexico
Petrosaurus slevini banded rock lizardBaja California, Mexico
Petrosaurus thalassinus Baja blue rock lizardBaja California Sur, Mexico