Fauna
Reptile

Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard

Uma inornata

Also known as Coachella Fringe-Toed Lizard

Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizards are master sand swimmers equipped with specialized comb-like scales on their toes that allow them to sprint effortlessly across soft, windblown dunes. When threatened by predators or extreme summer heat, they plunge headfirst into loose sand and submerge out of sight in seconds. Pale, intricate mottling across their backs provides camouflage against the quartz sand of their restricted desert habitat.

DesertEndemicReptile
Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard reference1 / 5
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EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAnts, Beetles, Plant Buds
Predators
  • Roadrunners
  • Leopard Lizards
  • Coachwhips
ThreatsUrban development, dune stabilization by invasive weeds, and climate change
HabitatsWindblown sand dunes and sandy desert flats
Life span3–5 years
Classification
  1. FamilyPhrynosomatidae
  2. SpeciesUma inornata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for a pale, fine-patterned lizard with fringed scales along its toes running across open dunes in Riverside County.
Support conservation
Observe from a respectful distance without stepping on sensitive dune vegetation or disrupting sand drifts.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from Trails: Stay on designated paths in dune preserves to protect fragile sand ecosystems.
  • Watch Sand Diving: Look along dune slip faces in early morning when lizards emerge to bask.
  • Minimize Disturbance: Avoid disturbing sand mounds where lizards burrow to escape thermal extremes.
Related species
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