General Distribution
The long-tailed brush lizard is widely distributed throughout the Colorado and Mojave
deserts south of Inyo Co. in a variety of habitats, especially desert wash, desert scrub, and
desert riparian. It is found in desert flats in association with creosote, cat's claw, galleta grass
and other desert shrubs and some loose, wind-blown sand. This species spends most of its
time in bushes or clumps of grass. Because it is very cryptic, there is no definite information
on abundance, but casual observations near Barstow located 1 lizard for each 4 creosote
bushes searched. This species becomes active in mid-April near Barstow and remains
abroad until mid-summer or early fall (Stebbins 1954). Habitat Requirements
These lizards spend days and nights in bushes and clumps of grass. They are
able to match the color of the background, and depend upon crypsis rather than physical
cover for protection (Stebbins 1954).
They prefer desert flats with some sand in the substrate and a variety
of shrub types. Reproduction
Eggs are laid from May to July. Clutches range from 1-6 and average 4
eggs (Stebbins 1954, Fitch 1970). Daily/Seasonal Activity
These lizards are not very active, but rather wait for prey to approach
their perches in bushes or grass clumps. They can move rapidly within the vegetation and
seem to remain alert to potential prey all day, even during the hottest hours. They become
active by mid-April and remain abroad until mid-summer and occasionally early fall. Diet and Foraging
This lizard eats beetles, ants, bees, hemipterans, homopterans, termites and
spiders. Plant material is occasionally taken (Stebbins 1954). Territoriality/Home Range
Normal activity may be restricted to one or several bushes or clumps of
grass. Males of all closely related species defend territories, and it is likely that this
species does as well. Predator-Prey Relations
Individuals are probably eaten by Crota phytus, Gambelia, several species of
lizard-eating snakes including Masticophis, and by avian predators. Literature Cited
Fitch, H. S. 1970. Reproductive cycles in lizards and snakes. Univ. Kans. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Misc. Publ. 52:1-247.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
