California lizards: ID chart
50 lizards, 1 venomous (listed first). Last checked November 3, 2026.
The venomous lizard comes first: Gila Monster. The rest follow from A to Z, each with a photo where we have one and a short note on where it lives in California. The chart prints on letter or A4 paper; on screen, open any name on the California lizards page for photos, range and sources.
Baja California Brush Lizard
Urosaurus nigricaudus
Not stated
Baja California Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus vestigium
Not stated
Blainville’s Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma blainvillii
Not stated
Brown Anole
Anolis sagrei
Not stated
Colorado Desert Fringe-toed Lizard
Uma notata
Not stated
Common Side-blotched Lizard
Uta stansburiana
Not stated
Cope's Leopard Lizard
Gambelia copeii
Not stated
Desert Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma platyrhinos
Not stated
Desert Iguana
Dipsosaurus dorsalis
Not stated
Desert Night Lizard
Xantusia vigilis
Not stated
Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma mcallii
Not stated
Gilbert's Skink
Plestiodon gilberti
Not stated
Great Basin Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus bicinctores
Not stated
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
Not stated
Island Night Lizard
Xantusia riversiana
Not stated
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
Not stated
Long-tailed Brush Lizard
Urosaurus graciosus
Not stated
Mearns’ Rock Lizard
Petrosaurus mearnsi
Not stated
Mediterranean House Gecko
Hemidactylus turcicus
Not stated
Moorish Wall Gecko
Tarentola mauritanica
Not stated
Northern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria coerulea
Not stated
Orange-throated Whiptail
Aspidoscelis hyperythra
Not stated
Panamint Alligator Lizard
Elgaria panamintina
Not stated
Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko
Phyllodactylus nocticolus
Not stated
Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
Phrynosoma douglasii
Not stated
Sandstone Night Lizard
Xantusia gracilis
Not stated
Sierra Night Lizard
Xantusia sierra
Not stated
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
Not stated
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
Not stated
Wiggins’ Night Lizard
Xantusia wigginsi
Not stated
Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard
Sceloporus uniformis
Not stated
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A picture cannot confirm what an animal is or that it is safe. Never handle a wild animal. Sources: Complete List of Amphibian, Reptile, Bird and Mammal Species in California (CWHR Program); Gila Monster - Saguaro National Park (US National Park Service). stateswildlife.com/california/lizards/