Desert
Night Lizard
Xantusia vigilis
Body length: 1 1/2 - 2 3/4"
Diet: Arthropods such as insects and spiders
Night lizards are secretive lizards, living under downed vegetation and in rock
crevices. They were once thought to be extremely rare, and their presence at Tonto
National Monument is noteworthy. Biologists studying the ecology of this species
in the early 1960's were excited to find night lizards here, and specimens from
the Monument can be found in the American Museum of Natural History in New York
City. Individuals have been known to turn up not only in the wild, but in park
rangers' residences and the restroom at the Visitor Center.
The vertical pupil of desert night lizards, like cat's eyes, give them away as
creatures of the night and dark places. Night lizards are live-bearing, with one
to three young per brood.
NPS
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Updated
May 8, 2005