Species profile
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
Identify Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
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
Frequently asked questions
What is Desert Spiny Lizard?
Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister) is a reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Desert Spiny Lizard?
Desert Spiny Lizard is Sceloporus magister.
Are there fishing rules for Desert Spiny Lizard?
Desert Spiny Lizard does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
How can I identify Desert Spiny Lizard?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Desert Spiny Lizard 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.