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desert night lizard
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desert night lizard

reptile
Also known as: Xantusiidae vigilis
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Quick Summary

The desert night lizard (Xantusia vigilis) is a small, secretive reptile found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. It measures less than 4 cm (1.6 inches) from snout to vent and lives under decaying Joshua trees or in crevices. This lizard primarily eats small insects and termites.1

Night lizards belong to the family Xantusiidae and are characterized by their lack of eyelids, with eyes covered by a transparent scale that they clean by licking. They are viviparous, giving birth to a small number of live young after an extended gestation period with placental nutrient transfer. Despite their small size, night lizards are known for their long lifespans, potentially living up to 20 years.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. night lizard
  2. desert tarantula: Top Questions
  3. lizard - Water loss and other variables

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