Western Banded Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus
Nocturnal lizard with irregular, alternating dark and light bands. More info
Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectum
The compact, colorful and raised scales give the skin a beaded look. Broad flat head. More info
Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
Brightly marked lizard with large head alert posture. A pair of dark rings around the neck. More info
Western Whiptail
Cnemidophorus tigris
Most common whiptail in the lower deserts. Longitudinal yellow and dark gray stripes. More info
Desert Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus magister
Large spiny lizard with incomplete black ring around neck. Males often show blue on throat. More info
Medeteranian Gecko
Coleonyx variegatus
Nocturnal lizard generally confined to human dwellings. Introduced. Climbs vertical walls. More info
Greater Earless Lizard
Cophosaurus texanus
Long banded tail. A pair of lateral dark chevrons just in front of the hind legs. More info
Lesser Earless Lizard
Holbrookia maculata
Two dark, bluish spots are located on the flanks about mid way between the rear and front legs. More info
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
Large lizard partial to sandy areas. More info
Common Chuckwalla
Sauromalus obesus
Rarely moves far from deep rock crevices where it can wedge into and hide. More info
Ornate Tree Lizard
Urosaurus ornatus
Very long tail appears rough due to keeled scales. More info
Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus
The tail is twice the length of the rest of the body. More info
Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
At cooler times of the year, most likely lizard to see. Dark side-blotch. More info
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Compact and somewhat flattened. Very well camouflaged. Distinct collar. More info
Red-eared Slider
Trachemys scripta
Non-native species found in mostly urban ponds maturing from pet trade releases. More info
Desert Tortoise
Gopherus agassizi
Iconic desert turtle spends hot and cold times resting insides its burrow. More info
Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon biscutatus
Nocturnally active and infrequently seen. Small and rather slender. More info
Western Diamondback
Crotalus atrox
Loud rattle warns of a large snake with black and white banded tail. More info
Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Often with a greenish cast. Normally the white bands in the tail are wider than the black bands. More info
Speckled Rattlesnake
Crotalus mitchellii
Long slender snake with gray and white stripes along length. More info
Tiger Rattlesnake
Crotalus tigris
A small head and large rattle distinguish this banded rattler. More info
Black-necked Garter Snake
Thamnophis cyrtopsis
Pale stripes along length of this riparian habitat snake. More info
Sonoran Whipsnake
Masticophis biliniatus
Long slender snake with gray and white stripes along length. More info
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Among the largest of Sonoran Desert snakes. More info
Ring-necked Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Medium-sized with ashy gray back and brighter color belly. Pale ring at neck. More info
Ground Snake
Sonora semiannulata
Very small and largely subterranean. Variable pattern, for example a red-brown stripe down center of back, bordered by gray. Others have bold bands as well. More info