Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
(Gambelia wislizenii)
This medium sized lizard is about 8-15 inches in length with dark spots on its body, a long round tail and a large head. During breeding season, the female shows a brilliant pinkish – orange color on the sides of her neck and body. Leopard lizards are often found in arid and semiarid flats with desert shrubs. They tend to avoid densely vegetated or heavily rocky areas which interfere with running and hunting. These ambush predators eat a variety of insects, spiders and bugs, but their favorite prey is other lizards. They can deliver a painful bite if captured, so please observe from a distance and avoid picking them up.
