Desert Night Lizard
Desert Night Lizard NPS Photo 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, gives them away as creatures of the night and dark places. Night lizards are live-bearing, with one to three young per brood. |
Did You Know?
Tonto National Monument is home to a crested saguaro. Biologists disagree as to why some saguaros grow in this unusual form. Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of lightning or freeze damage. About one in 150,000 saguaros develop this unusual growth.