Species:
Uma notata
Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
Some other names for this species:
Sonoran Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
August 2, 1999
Barrel Spring, Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, Imperial County, California

The Lizard-Watching Guide did me right by pointing out this definitely out-of-the-way locale for observing these hard-to-find lizards. Four wheel drive is strongly recommended, though I didn't know that in advance. I saw five or six of these sand speeders, but only the first one let me get anywhere near close enough for a photo. Seen from a distance as they race across the sand, these lizards are extremely hard to tell apart from both zebra-tailed lizards and desert iguanas, both of which are also plentiful in the area.


