Suborder Sauria Family Xantusiidae Higher classification Xantusia Order Scaled reptiles | Subphylum Vertebrata Infraorder Scincomorpha Genus Xantusia Phylum Chordata Rank Species | |
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Similar Xantusia, Night lizard, Reptile, Desert night lizard, Sandstone night lizard | ||
Granite night lizard xantusia henshawi
The granite night lizard (Xantusia henshawi ) is a species of xantusiid lizard endemic to North America.
Contents
Etymology
The specific name, henshawi, is in honor of American naturalist Henry Wetherbee Henshaw.
Geographic range
X. henshawi is found in Mexico in the Mexican state of Baja California, and also in the United States in adjacent southern California.
Description
X. henshawi is flat-bodied with a broad, flat head and a soft skin. It has rounded, dark dorsal spots on a pale yellow or cream background. Its scales are granular on its dorsum, but large and squarish on the ventral surface. These lizards have large eyes with vertical pupils, and they lack eyelids.
Habitat and behavior
Granite night lizards are often found on rocky slopes with large exfoliating boulders and abundant crevices, but are occasionally found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral without boulders. They are active in crevices during the day, but move on the surface at night.
