Reptile
Clark's Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus clarkiiAlso known as Clark's Lizard
Clark's spiny lizards are avid tree-climbers that spend warm desert mornings basking along the rough bark of cottonwoods, oaks, and large yuccas. Males defend vertical territories by performing vigorous push-up displays that flash bright blue patches on their bellies and throats. When approached, they adeptly pivot around tree trunks to keep the wood between themselves and any perceived danger.
DiurnalArborealReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyBeetles, Grasshoppers, Caterpillars
Predators
- Greater roadrunner
- Coachwhip
- Cooper's hawk
ThreatsRiparian habitat degradation, severe wildfires, and urbanization
HabitatsOak woodlands, riparian cottonwood groves, and rocky canyons
Life span4–6 years
Classification
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae
- SpeciesSceloporus clarkii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Scanning: Scan the trunks and large limbs of mature trees 2 to 4 meters off the ground on sunny mornings.
- Approaching: Move slowly without casting sudden shadows to avoid triggering their flight around the trunk.
- Identification: Look for dark banding on the wrists and forearms to distinguish them from related spiny lizards.
Predator Polinova / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Joshua Tree National Park, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Kaldari / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Juan Cruzado Cortés, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Juan Cruzado Cortés · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.