Reptile · GBIF taxon 2451126
Baja California Rock Lizard
Petrosaurus thalassinusAlso known as Baja Blue Rock Lizard, Blue Rock Lizard, San Lucan Rock Lizard
Baja California rock lizards are striking, flattened reptiles renowned for their vivid turquoise body coloration, bright orange throat, and dark shoulder bands. They excel at navigating steep granitic outcroppings and massive boulder piles across the southern Baja California peninsula. When alarmed, they wedge their flattened bodies tightly into narrow rock crevices, expanding their torsos with air to resist extraction.
DiurnalReptileColorful
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Spiders
- Flowers
Predators
- Hawks
- Whipsnakes
- Feral Cats
ThreatsHabitat disruption, feral predators, and illegal collection
HabitatsGranitic boulder fields, rocky canyons, and desert shrubland
Life span8–12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae
- GenusPetrosaurus
- SpeciesPetrosaurus thalassinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a painful nip if captured; observe from a respectful distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look on sunny granitic boulders during warm morning hours.
- Approach: Move slowly without casting a shadow across their basking perches.
- Observation: Maintain a distance of several meters to avoid scaring them into crevices.
Competitor Jarek Tuszyński / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Co-Occurring Relative
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