Species profile
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
At a glance
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) is a reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 17,578 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Arizona, California, and Utah the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- One of the largest spiny lizards in North America, reaching up to 14 inches total length.
- Males have bright blue-purple patches on the belly and throat used in territorial displays.
- Climbs shrubs during peak heat to escape ground temperatures that can exceed 150°F.
- An omnivore, eating insects, other lizards, and occasionally plant material.
- Range extends from Utah and Nevada south through the Sonoran Desert into Mexico.
Where Desert Spiny Lizard are seen
Background
Sceloporus magister, also known as the desert spiny lizard, is a lizard species of the family Phrynosomatidae, native to the Chihuahuan Desert and Sonoran Desert of North America.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Desert Spiny Lizard article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.