Description: small (up to 2.3 inches from snout to vent), slim, gray, gray-brown, or tan lizard with an ornate pattern of thin, dark lines on top of the head. Body markings are variable but usually consist of black or dark gray-brown, irregularly shaped blotches. Some specimens have lengthwise striations and some are plain. On the back are two parallel, lengthwise strips of enlarged, keeled scales separated at the mid-dorsum by a strip of small granular scales. The remainder of the dorsal scales are small and granular. The scales on the tail and limbs are enlarged and keeled. The scales on the belly are smooth and flat. A fold of skin runs along each lower side of the body. Males have two large, blue patches on the belly and a blue, blue-green, green, yellow, or orange throat. In females belly patches are lacking and the throat is yellow, yellow-green, or orange.

Habitat: It is usually encountered in areas with plenty of features on which to climb such as wooded riparian corridors and boulder-strewn slopes.

Range: In our region, Urosaurus o. levis occurs only in northern-central New Mexico.

Found in these States: NM

Diet: A variety of insects including aphids, beetles, flies, ants, bees, wasps, termites, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, and crickets make up the diet of this lizard. It also feeds on a variety of spiders.

Reproduction: Mating takes place in spring and summer and one or two clutches of eggs are laid in spring and summer. Clutch size ranges from 2 to 16 eggs.

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

Taxonomy: