Species profile
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
Identify Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app.
At a glance
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 6,271 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Arizona, and Nevada the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Remains active at body temperatures around 108°F (42°C), higher than nearly any other North American lizard.
- Primarily herbivorous, feeding heavily on the flowers and leaves of creosote bush.
- Grows to about 16 inches (40 cm) total length, including its long, banded tail.
- Digs burrows in sandy soil to escape extreme midday heat and overnight cold.
- Found only in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Where Desert Iguana are seen
Background
The desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is one of the most common lizards of the Sonoran and Mojave deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They also occur on several Gulf of California islands. Their color is mostly grey and tan.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Desert Iguana article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Desert Iguana?
Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Desert Iguana?
Desert Iguana is Dipsosaurus dorsalis.
Are there fishing rules for Desert Iguana?
Desert Iguana does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Desert Iguana?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Desert Iguana along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.