Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,
I'm new here, but I have always been an avid field herper.
So the other night, Saturday night to be exact I went looking for Banded geckos and Shovel-Nose Snakes on a road that I frequent for these things. We pulled over because we saw a strange looking thing on the road. As I got closer it looked a heck of a lot more lizard like. But this was no Gecko, it was a full grown Zebra-Tail Lizard. I thought it might have been a DOR, but as I reached to pick it up it sprang into action with almost frightening speed. Long story short I didn't catch the Zebra-Tail. Has anyone else seen normally diurnal lizards on the roads while night cruising? I have heard of Desert Horned Lizards being abroad at night, but never a Zebra-Tail. BTW, we did end up finding a couple of geckos which were shooed off the road. But it was a pretty good night all in all. Thanks for reading and replying.

-Phil Clevinger

I've seen leopards and spinys out at night while herping the mojave desert. They'll come out onto the warm pavement around dusk and fall asleep. They always seem very surprised to see me and take off running after I've awaken them.

seen Zebra Tails and Horned lizards and Spineys out at night asleep.
I agree they tend to fall asleep on the roads at night.

Tony

on the road at night ebfore-(a couple different times, back in april I saw nice big one that was DOR,it sucked) and I've seen horned lizards too and desert iguanas. Spiny lizards also, I think thats it.
Jeff Teel

PS-in the mtns where I live I see southern alligator lizards all the time on the roads, especially in the spring. Theres a canyon I'll drive and you can see some of the nicest big red alligators there.

I am wanting to get up your way and do some hiking/herping soon.
as long as the offer still stands I will be in touch.

Tony lanzi

SopCalHerper

Has anyone else seen normally diurnal lizards on the roads while night cruising?

I saw an unidentified lizard in TX in 1996 on the road at night. I have it on video; it's just a matter of going back and looking closely at the tape (which I'd do if I could find it!). It was probably a TX earless.

I've also seen a central netted dragon in Australia on the road at night: http://www.mcmartinville.com/chris/reptiles/trips/australia/netted.htm

On an only slightly-related note, if you're finding abbotti, I'm still looking for 2 females. I will not pay for them, in keeping with California's messed-up herping regs, but if you or anyone else can donate some to me I'd appreciate it.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Hey Chris,

I live in the upper Mojave, well, about half way between Las Vegas and Los Angeles in Apple valley. I think the subspecies I find are C. v. variegatus, according to range estimates in my Stebbins. If you want a pair of these, I may be able to help.....E-mail me directly. Pretty cool about the earless lizard. and nice site BTW. I'll Talk to you soon

-Phil Clevinger

I think the subspecies I find are C. v. variegatus,

I think you're right.

I'm interested in all the US Coleonyx; right now I just have abbotti and brevis. I'd eventually like to have all subspecies represented in my collection, but the variegatus will probably have to wait until spring at the earliest. Keep me in mind!
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Hey guys,
thanks for the insights. That is exactly what the Zebra-Tail was doing.....sleeping. I was too dumbfounded by the sight of a Zebra-Tail at night to let that register....Oh well, maybe i'll find more like this. Do you suppose they just fall asleep not really realizing where they are, or do you suppose that the asphalt is just too warm for them to get off? Strange though.... I'll talk to you guys soon, again thanks for the insights.

-Phil Clevinger

Proven by this sighting:
I have seen a lizard run on the road in my rear view mirror at dusk and I stopped and backed up slowly. It was a zebratail.
20 minutes later(dark) on the way back it was still there and fast asleep and then fast awake and gone! lol!

Tony lanzi