General Description: Mojave Fringe-toed Lizards (Uma scoparia) are fast, light-colored lizards found in open sandy areas and sand dunes. They have a blunt snout with protruding "lips," a black spot on each side of the body behind the front legs, and black bars on the underside of the tail. The body form is broad and flat. The dorsal pattern is a black background with many, tiny white circles (eye spots). These lizards escape predators by diving into the sand and "swimming" away.

In breeding season, Mojave Fringe-toed Lizards develop a yellow-green wash on the belly with some pink on the sides.

The common name comes from the "fringe" of elongate scales on the back of the toes that acts as a snowshoe and helps them run very fast on soft sand.

Taxonomy: Phrynosomatid Lizard Family.

Technical Description: Body length 2-3/4 to 4-1/2 in. Ocelli on dorsum randomly placed (do not form lines). Throat with dark, crescent-shaped patches. Black spot on each side of the belly.

Diet: Carnivorous, eating mostly insects, spiders (arthropods in general), but also eating some plant material.

Habitat: Sandy areas and sand dunes.

Range: Eastern Mojave Desert of southeastern California and a tiny bit of western Arizona.

Comments: These lizards dive into the sand and "swim" to escape predators.