{{Short description|Species of lizard}} {{speciesbox | name = Arizona night lizard | image = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Hammerson, G.A. |date=2007 |title=''Xantusia arizonae'' |volume=2007 |article-number=e.T64361A12761627 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64361A12761627.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Xantusia | species = arizonae | authority = Klauber, 1931 | synonyms = ''Xantusia vigilis'' subsp. ''arizonae'' <small>Klauber, 1931</small> }} The '''Arizona night lizard''' ('''''Xantusia arizonae''''') is a species of small smooth-skinned gray-brown lizards with dark spots that sometimes form partial lines down the back. The lizard has a slightly flattened head. The scales of the underside and tail are larger than those of the upper side. The lizard grows to a length of {{convert|6|to| 10|cm|abbr=on}}.<ref>Bezy, Robert L. [http://www.cfa.arizona.edu/herp/Bezy%202005_18(2)20.pdf "The Night Lizards (''Xantusia'') of Arizona"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428173124/http://www.cfa.arizona.edu/herp/Bezy%202005_18%282%2920.pdf |date=April 28, 2012 }}. Sonoran Herpetologist. Retrieved 30 December 2011</ref><ref name="Arizona">Arizona Game and Fish Department. 2003 . [http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/edits/documents/Xantariz.d_000.pdf "Xantusia arizonae"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230031056/http://www.azgfd.gov/w%5Fc/edits/documents/Xantariz.d_000.pdf |date=2010-12-30 }}. Unpublished abstract compiled and edited by the Heritage Data Management System, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ. 1–2 pp.</ref>

Despite its name, the Arizona night lizard is primarily active during the day. The lizard's range extends across west-central Arizona. It is usually found in rock crevices or under plant debris. Its diet consists of insects and spiders. The young of the lizard are born live, usually one or two around August or September.<ref name=Brennan/> As the lizard tends not to move about and generally avoids humans, not much is known about it.<ref name="Arizona" />

==Description== The species grows to maximum size of about {{convert|10|cm|abbr=on}}. The head is covered with large, smooth plates. Body scales are small, while belly scales are rectangular.<ref name=Brennan>{{cite web|last1=Brennan|first1=Tom|title=Arizona Night Lizard ''Xantusia Arizonae''|publisher=Reptiles and Amphibians of Arizona |url=http://www.reptilesofaz.org/Lizards-Subpages/h-x-arizonae.html |access-date=30 December 2011}}</ref> The dorsal side is covered with many small dark spots tending to form rows. The eyes are large and round with a vertical pupil (similar to a snake's eye).

The species is a secretive lizard. It feeds, reproduces, and lives most of its life in seclusion. Populations of night lizards at low elevations become active in the spring and through the summer, while higher elevation populations may not become active until late spring.<ref name=Arizona /> Daily activity patterns are difficult to determine due to their secretive behavior. Some of the night lizard's predators include larger lizards, many snakes, and birds.

==Ecology==

The Arizona night lizard is found under exfoliating rock in granite outcrops.<ref name=Arizona /> The night lizard species occurs primarily in rock-crevice habitat, but also has been found in ''Neotoma'' nests and in decaying ''Yucca baccata''. The habitat extends from the Arizona Upland Sonoran Desert scrub to the Interior Chaparral.

The diet consists primarily of ants, termites, flies, beetles, spiders, among other insects.<ref name=Arizona /> Its predators include larger lizards, birds, and snakes.<ref name=Arizona />

==Conservation== In January 2014, the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, petitioned the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to add seven species of reptiles and amphibians, including the Arizona night lizard, to the endangered species list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cronkitenewsonline.com/2014/01/environmental-group-seeks-endangered-status-for-four-arizona-species/index.html |title=Environmental group seeks endangered status for four Arizona species |last=Millar |first=Diangelea |date=21 January 2014 |publisher=Cronkite News |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref> The petition was denied in March 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2016/03/15/18668/ |title=Acuna cactus stays on endangered list, Southwestern willow flycatcher faces review |last=Worthington |first=Danika |date=15 March 2016 |publisher=Cronkite News |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3570565}}

Category:Xantusia Category:Endemic reptiles of the United States Category:Fauna of the Sonoran Desert Category:Fauna of the Southwestern United States Category:Reptiles described in 1931 Category:Taxa named by Laurence Monroe Klauber