Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
Silhouette: Sam Fellows · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae (Phrynosomatid Lizards)
- GenusUta (Side-blotched lizards)
- SpeciesUta stansburiana (Common Side-blotched Lizard)
About the Common Side-blotched Lizard
The common side-blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana) is a species of side-blotched lizard in the family Phrynosomatidae. The species is native to dry regions of the western United States and northern Mexico. It is notable for having a unique form of polymorphism wherein each of the three different male morphs utilizes a different strategy in acquiring mates. The three morphs compete against each other following a pattern of rock paper scissors, where one morph has advantages over another but is outcompeted by the third.
The specific epithet, stansburiana, is in honor of Captain Howard Stansbury of the US Corps of Topographical Engineers, who collected the first specimens while leading the 1849-1851 expedition to explore and survey the Great Salt Lake of Utah.
The systematics and taxonomy of the widespread and variable lizards of the genus Uta is much disputed. Countless forms and morphs have been described as subspecies or even distinct species. The forms which occur in most of Mexico (except Baja California) have been recognized as a very distinct species, the eastern side-blotched lizard, Uta stejnegeri.
Populations from San Benito and Cedros Islands... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Common Side-blotched Lizard in Joshua Tree National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Joshua Tree National Park
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Zebra-tailed Lizard
Callisaurus draconoides
Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus
Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma inornata
Coast Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma mcallii
Banded Rock Lizard
Petrosaurus mearnsi
Mojave Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma scoparia
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
Granite Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus orcutti
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 4 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Common Side-blotched Lizard in Joshua Tree National Park?
About 80% of wildlife watchers report a Common Side-blotched Lizard sighting in Joshua Tree National Park, based on 4,006 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Common Side-blotched Lizard in Joshua Tree National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Common Side-blotched Lizard in Joshua Tree National Park in our monthly data.