These lizards have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. In addition, they also have special scales which form a fringe on the sides of their toes. These fringes aid with traction, speed and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes. They also possess an upper jaw which overlaps the lower, preventing the intrusion of sand particles, and nostrils that can be closed at will. Flaps also close against the ear openings when moving through sand and the upper and lower eyelids have interlocking scales that prevent sand from getting into the eyes.
Ten Facts about Sonoran Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
- This lizard's dorsal pattern mimics the color and texture of sand.
- Their range covers southeast California and southwest Arizona, and extends into northwest Sonora and northeast Baja California.
- The lizard's sand-like pattern makes them cryptic, which allows them to avoid predators.
- Its prey consists of insects and other arthropods, but also includes plants.
- The Sonoran Desert Fringe-toed Lizard can run with remarkable speed and skill on the dunes, and it is equally adept at "swimming" through sand.
- A parietal eye located on top of the head alerts the lizard to take shelter when solar radiation becomes excessive.
- Clutch of 1-5 eggs, average 2, is laid every 4-6 weeks through summer.
- The tail is about the same length as the body.
- Predators of six-lined racerunners include snakes (especially milk snakes and racers), birds, and small mammals.
- Lifespan about 5-6 years.
