Common side-blotched lizardUta stanburiana
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Map accurate as of 1/31/2024
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General Distribution: From south-central Washington, the range extends south through Oregon, Nevada, and California into Baja California and east through Utah and Arizona to western Colorado, New Mexico, and western Texas and Oklahoma; south into central Mexico.
Colorado Distribution: This species is found west of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado primarily in the western tier of counties in areas with bare ground and soft, deep soils. They can be found in elevations up to approximately 6,500 ft (1,980 m).
Colorado Distribution: This species is found west of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado primarily in the western tier of counties in areas with bare ground and soft, deep soils. They can be found in elevations up to approximately 6,500 ft (1,980 m).
Conservation Status: Designated as a Non-game Species in Colorado. Capture of up to 4 individuals of this species annually is permitted - please review Colorado Parks & Wildlife regulations for additional information on take (see State of Colorado regulations here). NatureServe rank: G5 (Globally Secure), S4 (State Secure). No major threats to this species have been identified at this time.
Diagnostic Features
Coloration / Markings
- Dark blotch on each side of the chest, posterior to the front legs.
- Scales behind the eyes obviously larger than the scales on the back.
- Gular fold is present.
- Dorsal scales small and smooth.
- Scales along the middle of the back are uniform in size.
- External ear openings.
Coloration / Markings
- Tan, brown or gray dorsum is uniform in color or with light and dark spots.
- Males may have turquoise or blue spots on the dorsum and enlarged postanal scales.
- Males may have a blue-black streak associated with the side blotch.
- The throat may be blue with an orange rim, though less bright in late summer.
Size: Side-blotched Lizards are sexually dimorphic, with females smaller than males. Males have an average snout-vent length (SVL) of 1.8 to 2.0 inches (45 to 52 mm), with a maximum length of 2.5 inches (64 mm), whereas females have an average SVL of 1.9 inches (47 mm) with a maximum length of 2.3 inches (58 mm). Hatchlings are typically around 0.8 inches (21 to 22 mm) SVL (Degenhardt et al. 1996; Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009). The average size of adults and the degree of sexual dimorphism in this species increases from the north of their range to the south.
Habitat: This species of lizard can be found in desert scrub, semi-desert grassland, coastal scrub, chaparral, woodlands, washes, arroyos, rocky canyon slopes, bedrock exposures, rimrock outcroppings, rocky cliff faces and shrubby areas in canyon bottoms. They tend to prefer areas with soft, deep soil and open ground (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009).
Activity: Side-blotched Lizards may be active from February through November (Brennan 2009), but this varies throughout their range and is typically restricted to April through September in Colorado (Hammerson 1999). Hibernation takes place in burrows, crevices, or underground cavities, and many lizards may hibernate together or in close proximity (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009). A diurnal species, they will bask in the mornings and evenings though they seek shade in midday when temperatures rise (Hammerson 1999).
Reproduction: Courtships occurs in spring after emergence. Male Side-blotched Lizards use a push-up display and nod their head when approaching a female, who may use a similar head bob to signal rejection. Females are capable of storing sperm and using it several months after mating (Hammerson 1999).
All adult females are reproductive each year, with first attempts by females not exceeding 2 clutches that year (Degenhardt, 1996). Females may lay up to 7 clutches per year (Brennan 2009), with 2-3 clutches most common in Colorado (Hammerson 1999). A clutch averages 3 eggs, though up to 8 eggs is possible (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009). The eggs incubate underground for 60-80 days and typically hatchlings first begin to emerge in June or early July (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009).
All adult females are reproductive each year, with first attempts by females not exceeding 2 clutches that year (Degenhardt, 1996). Females may lay up to 7 clutches per year (Brennan 2009), with 2-3 clutches most common in Colorado (Hammerson 1999). A clutch averages 3 eggs, though up to 8 eggs is possible (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009). The eggs incubate underground for 60-80 days and typically hatchlings first begin to emerge in June or early July (Hammerson 1999; Brennan 2009).
Feeding & Diet: Side-blotched Lizards are opportunistic foragers, meaning that they will wait for a prey item to cross their path rather than actively search for prey. Prey items for this species include grasshoppers, beetles, ants, termites, leaf-hoppers, insect larvae, scorpions, spiders and juvenile conspecifics, mites, ticks and sowbugs (Hammerson 1999; Stebbins 2003; Brenna, 2009).
Defenses from Predation: The Side-blotched Lizard has an autotomous tail, which may be regenerated if lost or “dropped” in an effort to escape predation. However, the main defense of this species against predation is crypsis in order to hide from predators (Brennan 2009). Some known predators of this species include Long-nosed Leopard Lizards, Tiger Whiptails, Coachwhips, rattlesnakes, tarantulas, kingsnakes, birds and mammals.
Cited & Additional Resources
Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 2013. New Mexico’s Reptiles and Amphibians: A Field Guide. The University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Brennan, T. C. 2009. Common Side-blotched Lizard, pp. 294-297 in: Lizards of the American Southwest. Lawrence L. C. Jones, and Robert E. Lovich, Eds. Rio Nuevo Publishers, Tucson, Arizona.
Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado, Second Edition. University Press of Colorado & Colorado Division of Wildlife, Niwot, Colorado.
Stebbins, R. C. 2003. Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd Ed. Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.
Brennan, T. C. 2009. Common Side-blotched Lizard, pp. 294-297 in: Lizards of the American Southwest. Lawrence L. C. Jones, and Robert E. Lovich, Eds. Rio Nuevo Publishers, Tucson, Arizona.
Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hammerson, G. A. 1999. Amphibians and Reptiles in Colorado, Second Edition. University Press of Colorado & Colorado Division of Wildlife, Niwot, Colorado.
Stebbins, R. C. 2003. Western Reptiles and Amphibians, 3rd Ed. Peterson Field Guides, Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York.
Account compiled by: Celina Bycenski
Reviewed by: Lauren Livo (text & map)
Last updated: 4/14/2022 by Rémi Pattyn
Reviewed by: Lauren Livo (text & map)
Last updated: 4/14/2022 by Rémi Pattyn
Suggested Citation
Colorado Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 2014. Species account for Common Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stanburiana). Compiled by Celina Bycenski. http://www.coparc.org/common-side-blotched-lizard.html [accessed date here]. Editor: Lauren Livo.
Colorado Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 2014. Species account for Common Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stanburiana). Compiled by Celina Bycenski. http://www.coparc.org/common-side-blotched-lizard.html [accessed date here]. Editor: Lauren Livo.
