Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana)
A small brownish lizard, 1-3 inches in length, with dark blotches on each side of the chest. Its dorsal pattern is blotched or speckled with grey, yellow, and white. The color of these lizards can vary depending on the habitat you find them in.
This species is one of the most abundant lizards in the desert regions of the West. They are found in a variety of habitats – sand, rock, grass, shrubs, and scattered trees, and are most frequently near washes with scattered rocks and low growing shrubs. These lizards can even be quite common in urban areas. They eat a variety small insects, spiders and other bugs. Because these lizards are so small, they can warm quickly in the sun and can be active nearly year around.
