The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah

Description: Brown, tan, or grayish-brown base color, occasionally with blue speckling on the body and tail. A broad grayish-brown or bluish-gray stripe runs down the mid-dorsal. It is bordered by irregular dark brown blotches; sometimes appearing as dark stripes. Light-colored cream or tan dorsolateral and/or lateral stripes on each side of the dark blotches. There is often a dark bar on the anterior shoulder. The scales are keeled and pointed, giving them a spiny appearance. The scales on the back of the thighs are granular and/or unkeeled. Males have blue patches on each side of the abdomen and a blue throat patch. Females usually lack any blue coloration and can develop orange coloration on the neck and sides during breeding season and when gravid.    

Size: A small-sized lizard averaging 4 to 5 inches in total length. 

Range and Habitat: This lizard occurs nearly statewide. It inhabits Great Basin desertscrub, sagebrush-dominated basins and slopes, juniper-pinyon woodlands , and montane woodlands. It is most commonly encountered from about 4,500 feet to 8,000 feet in elevation but it has been found close to 10,000 feet in elevation in the state. 

Similar Species: The Side-blotched Lizard can be identified by the presence of a dark blotch on its side and the absence of spiny scales. While this species resembles other spiny lizards in the Sceloporus genus, the scales on this lizard are less pronounced and not as rough in texture.