Description: 2.0 to 2.8 inches long from snout to vent. A small flat bodied lizard with a flattened head, soft skin with fine granular scales, a long thin tail, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, and gular folds. Similar to and closely related to Xantusia henshawi, but with a narrower head, a body that is shorter between the limbs, and with thinner limbs. The color is white to yellowish, with large dark brown spots on the upper surfaces, and irregular spots and bands on the tail. This species does not exhibit the light and dark phases seen in X. henshawi. It looks more like the light phase of that species but with more light coloring and smaller dark spots. The underside is white with minute black speckling only on the forepart. Males have enlarged femoral pores.
Habitat: Inhabits rocky outcrops around Granite Station in open grassland with scattered oak woodland and low shrubs.
Range: Endemic to California. Found only in the southwestern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains along the western edge of the Greenhorn mountains around Granite Station, in Kern Co.
Diet: Little is known about the diet of this lizard. Presumably it is similar to other related California Xantusiids, which eat small invertebrates such as ants, termites, beetles, caterpillars, crickets, and spiders.
Reproduction: Little is known about the reproduction of this species. Related California Xantusiidae breed in late spring and the young are born live, 1 to 3 per brood, from August to October.
Status: Due to its small range, the Sierra Night Lizard is very suceptible to any habitat alteration. This lizard needs exfoliated and fissured granite outcrops to survive. It takes thousands of years for this exfoliation and fissuring to occur, so this habitat will not be replaced for many centuries. When flakes and slabs are torn off rock outcrops by someone searching for this lizard or other reptiles, the habitat is irreparably damaged. Such rock destruction is illegal in California: "It is unlawful to use any method or means of collecting that involves breaking apart of rocks, granite flakes, logs or other shelters in or under which reptiles may be found." (2007 regulations 5.60.4.) However, this does not protect the lizard from other sources of rock destruction including human development of its habitat.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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