DESCRIPTION: A small (up to 76 mm or 3″ from snout to vent) creamy yellow lizard with reddish brown crossbands, spots, and reticulations on the body and tail. The limbs and sides are tinted with with pink. The ventral surface is plain and pale. Juveniles usually have distinct dorsal bands that break up into spots and reticulations as the animal ages. Adults in the southeastern portion of our state tend to retain the juvenile banding. A creamy yellow line loops from the corner of the eye around the back of the head to the other eye like an eyeglass strap. Behind this loop is a broad, reddish brown collar. The scales are small and granular and the skin is soft and translucent. A faint, blue-green tint is visible through the skin above each eye. This gecko has slender toes, lacks toe pads, and lacks tubercles on the body distinguishing it from the similar looking Mediterranean House Gecko. The tail becomes plump when the animal is well fed. The pupils are vertically elliptical. Unlike many geckos this lizard has moveable eyelids.

DISTRIBUTION: This lizard is distributed across most of western and sub-Mogollon Rim southern Arizona. It extends up the Grand Canyon to the vicinity of the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers and there are populations at Powell Reservoir and Wupatki National Monument. In our state it is found at elevations ranging from near sea level along the lower Colorado River to about 5,000′.

HABITAT: An inhabitant of our desertscrub communities. This deceptively delicate-looking lizard is capable of living in some of our states most harsh environments. It can be found in habitats ranging from extremely dry, wind blown sand dunes and creosotebush flats, through rugged rocky slopes and hillsides, to relatively barren high desert plateaus.

BEHAVIOR: This lizard is a nocturnal ground-dweller. It is often seen prowling on the surface at night and is also easily found under surface cover such as boards and trash piles. It hibernates during the cold months of winter and late fall. When it senses danger it twists and undulates the tail in slow, sinuous, serpentine movements. The tail is easily cast off and regenerated. When captured it will often squeak.

DIET: Spiders and insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, larvae, and termites make up the bulk of this lizards diet. It has been observed to eat its own shed skin in captivity.

By Thomas C. Brennan

Brennan, T. C., M. J. Feldner, H. F. Koenig. 2002. Coleonyx variegatus. Geographic Distribution. Herpetological Review. 33(4). p. 321.

Stebbins, R.C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.