General Distribution
The zebra-tailed lizard is common and widely distributed throughout the Mojave and
Colorado deserts and its range extends north into the southern Great Basin. It frequents
sandy and gravelly desert flats, washes and alluvial plains in a variety of desert woodland and
scrub habitats. It occasionally occurs in rocky areas, but seems to prefer flats dominated by
scrub vegetation. It is often common along the margins of dunes but seems not to prefer
extensively sandy habitats (Stebbins 1954, Pianka and Parker 1972, Tanner and Krogh
1975). In areas of creosote scrub this lizard seems to reach highest densities, 12-15 per ha
(4.8-6.0 per ac) (Tanner and Krogh 1975). This lizard appears early in the spring, usually by
mid-March near California City, and is active in decreasing numbers through early fall. Habitat Requirements
The zebra-tailed lizard is a fast-running, insectivorous inhabitant of desert flats,
washes and plains. It seems to prefer areas with moderate to sparse densities of vegetation
and rocks, which impede rapid locomotion for predator avoidance and prey capture.
This lizard burrows into fine sand for retreat at night and usually seeks day shelter
in the shade of bushes. Reproduction
In Joshua Tree National Monument, eggs are probably laid in June (Miller
and Stebbins 1964). This lizard lays an average of 4 eggs per clutch (range 2-6), and may
lay as many as 5 clutches in years with greater than average rainfall (Stebbins 1954, Fitch
1970). Daily/Seasonal Activity
This lizard is diurnal, rising early, usually before other species, and
remaining active throughout the day in all but the hottest weather. During the hottest times of
day, lizards may stand alternately on two legs in the shade of bushes or climb into the bushes
to avoid the heat of the substrate. This species is one of the first to emerge in the spring,
usually by mid-March near California City, and remains active through the summer. Diet and Foraging
Food consists of arthropods such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, ants,
bees, wasps, moths, and spiders (Stebbins 1954). Often this lizard jumps several
body-lengths off the ground to capture flying insects. Occasionally lizards (Coleonyx
variegatus and Uta stansburiana) and the fruiting heads of plants are taken (Stebbins 1954). Territoriality/Home Range
Home range depends on season, sex, and habitat and has not been well
studied. In creosote scrub in Nevada, home ranges varied from 0.35-0.60 ha (0.88-1.50 ac)
(Tanner and Krogh 1975). This species is not known to migrate.
This species has an elaborate social system with visual and olfactory forms of
communication. Males behave aggressively at times, but home ranges overlap broadly and it
is not known if these territories are defended. Predator-Prey Relations
This species is preyed upon by carnivorous lizards (Gambelia and Crotaphytus),
snakes (Crotalus cerastes, Masticophis, etc.), avian predators (logger-head shrikes) and
probably mammalian predators. Literature Cited
Fitch, H. S. 1970. Reproductive cycles in lizards and snakes. Univ. Kans. Mus. Nat. Hist.
Misc. Publ. 52:1-247.
Miller, A. H., and R. C. Stebbins. 1964. The lives of desert animals in Joshua Tree
National Monument. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 452pp.
Pianka, E. R., and W. S. Parker. 1972. Ecology of the iguanid lizard Callisaurus
draconoides. Copeia 1972:493-508.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Tanner. W. W., and J. E. Krogh. 1975. Ecology of the zebra-tailed lizard Callisaurus
draconoides at the Nevada Test Site. Herpetologica 31:302-316.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
