About Xantusia henshawi Stejneger, 1893
Body and Head Morphology
Xantusia henshawi Stejneger, 1893 has a flattened body, a broad flat head, and soft skin.
Base Coloration
Its base body color is pale yellow or cream, marked with rounded dark spots along its back.
Scale Characteristics
It has granular scales on its dorsal side, while its ventral scales are large and squarish.
Ocular Morphology
This lizard has large eyes with vertical pupils, and does not have eyelids.
Geographic Distribution
The species occurs in the Mexican state of Baja California, Mexico, and in adjacent southern California in the United States.
Common Name
It is commonly known as the granite night lizard.
Habitat Preferences
It most often inhabits rocky slopes with large exfoliating boulders and many crevices, but can occasionally be found in coastal sage scrub and chaparral that does not have boulders.
Activity Pattern
It stays active within crevices during the day, and moves across open surfaces at night.
Reproductive Mode
Xantusia henshawi is oviparous, meaning it reproduces by laying eggs.
