Description: A small (up to 2.75 inches from snout to vent), gray, tan, or orange-brown lizard with variable markings. Coloration usually matches the soil on which the lizard lives. Body markings usually consist of four rows of brown blotches or chevrons extending from the neck to the tail and light speckles on the upper surfaces of the body and limbs. Some specimens lack markings. Two black bars mark each lower side of the body just behind the forelimb. Males often have a yellow tint on the lower sides, blue outlines around the side bars, copious light speckling, and less distinct dorsal blotches. Gravid females often have a pink or peach tint and an orange throat patch. As its common name implies, this lizard lacks external ear openings. The scales are small and granular.

Habitat: Found in communities ranging from Semidesert Grassland, through Interior Chaparral, and into woodlands. It is usually encountered on relatively level terrain in open, sunlit areas with sparse vegetation and sandy or gravelly soil.

Range: Central Texas, west through most of New Mexico and Arizona into Mexico.

Found in these States: AZ | NM | TX

Diet: It feeds on a variety of insects including grasshoppers, beetles, bees, wasps, ants, true bugs, butterflies, and moths. It also eats a variety of spiders and small lizards.

Reproduction: Mating takes place in spring and one or two clutches of eggs are laid in spring and summer. Clutch size ranges from 1 to 10 eggs.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the relatively large and stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. No major threats have been identified.

Taxonomy: