Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard

• Long-nosed leopard lizard

Blunt-nosed leopard lizards are active during the day in the spring, summer and fall months. Adult activity decreases during the hot summer months of July and August, just as the hatchlings emerge from the burrows. At that point, adults generally retreat into their burrows for the winter. Hatchlings stay out until October or November, before going into burrows. Adults are capable of remaining below ground for two winters when poor environmental conditions, such as drought, are present. Younger lizards may not have enough fat reserves to stay below ground for more than one season.

Threats to the species:

• Habitat loss and degradation from urbanization, agriculture expansion, solar power development and oil and gas exploration
• Non-native plants and grasses
• Vehicle-related mortality from automobile traffic and off-road vehicles
• Above or below-average precipitation
• Pesticide use
• Climate change

The blunt-nosed leopard lizard is a relatively large lizard in the iguana family. It has a long, regenerative tail and powerful hind limbs. It also has a short, blunt snout. Adult males are slightly larger than females.

Measurements
Length:

• Males range in size from 3.4 to 4.7 inches (8.7 to 12.0 centimeters), excluding tail
• Females are 3.4 to 4.6 inches (8.6 to 11.6 centimeters), excluding tail

Males weigh 1.1 to 2.1 ounces (31.8 to 60.0 grams) and females weigh 0.7 to 1.0 ounces (20.6 to 37 grams).

Blunt-nosed leopard lizards exhibit tremendous variation in color and pattern on their backs. Their background color ranges from yellowish or light gray-brown to dark brown, with their undersides uniformly white to yellow. They have rows of dark spots across their backs, alternating with white, cream-colored or yellow bands. During breeding season, males and females develop reddish-orange patches on their sides.

Blunt-nosed leopard lizards live in central California. They live in arid, open areas that have patchy or sparse vegetation, that is characterized by low, drought-tolerant shrubs. The lizards are found below 2,600 feet (800 meters) in elevation. Current distribution extends from Merced County in the north to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in the south.

Blunt-nosed leopard lizards use both active foraging and a sit-and-wait strategy to feed. When using the sit-and-wait hunting strategy, the lizard waits for prey to wander near them, and then pounces to capture the prey. Insects make up 97 percent of their diet.

Blunt-nosed leopard lizards are active during the day in the spring, summer and fall months. Adult activity decreases during the hot summer months of July and August, just as the hatchlings emerge from the burrows. At that point, adults generally retreat into their burrows for the winter. Hatchlings stay out until October or November, before going into burrows. Adults are capable of remaining below ground for two winters when poor environmental conditions, such as drought, are present. Younger lizards may not have enough fat reserves to stay below ground for more than one season.

Threats to the species:

• Habitat loss and degradation from urbanization, agriculture expansion, solar power development, and oil and gas exploration
• Non-native plants and grasses
• Vehicle-related mortality from automobile traffic and off-road vehicles
• Above- or below-average precipitation
• Pesticide use
• Climate change

Females generally lay eggs once a year, with one to six eggs per clutch. Some females may lay more than one clutch per season under favorable environmental conditions.

The blunt-nosed leopard lizard may live up to eight or nine years, but few adults are seen across more than two years.