Mojave fringe-toed lizard

The Mojave fringe-toed lizard is restricted to sand dunes and windblown sand habitats in the Mojave and Colorado deserts of southern California and extreme western Arizona. These unique lizards possess several specialized adaptations for living in fine windblown sand, including their namesake fringed toes, which increase traction and running speed. Sand dunes are relatively small and isolated ecosystems; therefore, Uma populations are especially vulnerable to local extinction due to human disturbance. Even though this species has a fragmented distribution, it is nonetheless widely distributed.

Description 5-7" (12.7-17.9 cm). Comblike fringe of pointed scales on trailing edge of toes. Flattened body covered with velvety granular scales. Dark bands under tail. Gray to white, with dark eyelike spots; no lines over shoulders. Dark crescents across center of throat. Black blotch on each side of belly. Breeding adults have pink on sides and yellow-green on belly.

Breeding Clutches of 1-4 eggs are laid in midsummer, probably more than 1 clutch per season. Following dry winters little food is available, so reproduction may not occur.

Habitat Windblown sand dunes with low-growing vegetation.

Range Mojave Desert in California; extreme w. Yuma County, Arizona.

Discussion Diurnal. This species can move extremely fast across the loose sand of its habitat. One specimen was clocked at a speed of 23 miles (37 km) an hour.