On June 27, 2020, my 11th trip to the Colorado Desert this spring/summer, I saw my first zebra-tailed lizard. I've had this experience before, where an area I've gone previously reveals them in hotter weather. It was about 10:00 a.m. and approximately 104 degrees. It was north of the large rocks in the flat in a wash. I followed it for about five minutes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcs3XgEeOVMcRBXTsR_tm8KD63G04uJfbdwgYw29A6cQhp_kVXNGAljapPWgHwENYZaRvBGWRdLcNuwyIDjfsBelz0j9pRCeL1AuRr0PG_86kCX6N-9JzPJqp49XlO8nEO00101wmx0IU/s280/2a+lizard.jpg) |
At first it looped forward its black and white (zebra-striped) tail, thought to be a sign to predators that they have been spotted. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMz20fctB45WBGtTI20T4rPXoHynLJL3hvUmFNtPKh6rrzs1an4RG7gBZl__r61kzNGJkg9SVOEOTkwA_InQLU3j-XWM2YrUzVVZBDRJ_7G02YBmRnZchpogGzcs4g5nRJQwnO7qzfYc/s280/2b+zebra-tailed+lizard.jpg) |
That scorpion-like tail is the most fun thing about the lizard. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZ-IC7MIAt0DMmqk26wDtWIqmbycd1-J1Xhajq9AQgLXnVeX8CSC5vs4Nu5swq3Fgw0GR7LHCGEEinB_HkbLFst4iEpu4xakOTQzXNOjrUKsIAVvBOBycUNDlak19ClSGTIfDfeihuCA/s280/3a+lizard.jpg) |
After I followed it for a minute or two it let it's tail down. |
I can imagine a giant version of this lizard in a sci-fi movie. It really is weirdly unique.
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