DESCRIPTION: A small (up to 70 mm or 2.75″ from snout to vent), dark gray-brown to orange-brown lizard with pointed, keeled scales and two creamy yellow stripes on the back. The stripes extend from the neck to the base of the tail. An additional pale gray to white stripe marks each lower side of the body. There are usually two rows of small, dark gray-brown blotches running the length of the back. A small, white dot is usually present on the inside rear edge of each blotch. The mid-dorsum is often marked with a faint, wide, gray-brown stripe. The underside is plain and pale, occasionally with some dark flecking on the chest and throat. Two small blue patches may develop on the throat during breeding season (spring). Gravid females may develop orange coloration surrounding or replacing the blue patches on the throat. Males are usually darker brown and often lack dorsal blotches. Its lack of belly markings distinguishes this lizard from other Sceloporus found in the area. The scales on the sides of the body are arranged in diagonal rows (spines point up and back) distinguishing this lizard from Slevin’s Bunchgrass Lizard.

DISTRIBUTION: In Arizona the Striped Plateau Lizard is found only in the Chiricahua and Peloncillo mountains. It occurs at elevations ranging from about 4,800’ to over 8,500′.