Island night lizard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Island night lizard |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Xantusia
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| Species: |
riversiana
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The island night lizard (Xantusia riversiana) is a special kind of night lizard. It lives only on a few islands off the coast of California. These islands are San Nicolas Island, Santa Barbara Island, and San Clemente Island. You can also find a few on Sutil Island, which is close to Santa Barbara Island.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this lizard is Xantusia riversiana. The "riversiana" part honors a person named James John Rivers. He was a doctor and a naturalist (someone who studies nature). He worked at the University of California.
Different Kinds of Island Night Lizards
Sometimes, animals of the same species can have slight differences depending on where they live. These groups are called subspecies. The island night lizards living on San Clemente Island are a special subspecies. They are known as the San Clemente night lizard (Xantusia riversiana reticulata).
Protecting the Island Night Lizard
For a long time, the island night lizard was considered a "threatened species" in the United States. This means its numbers were getting low, and it needed protection. The IUCN, a global group, also listed it as "vulnerable."
In 2006, the US Fish and Wildlife Service removed the San Clemente subspecies from the threatened list. This was partly because fewer wildfires were happening on the island.
By March 2014, the US Fish and Wildlife Service removed the entire species from the threatened list. This was a big success! It happened because non-native animals, like cats and goats, were removed from the islands. These animals used to harm the lizards or their habitat. Also, the US Fish and Wildlife Service worked together with the US Navy to help protect the lizards.
Where They Live
The island night lizard likes to live in coastal scrub areas. This means places near the coast with lots of dense bushes. They especially like thickets of boxthorn and cacti. These plants provide good cover and places to hide.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Like other night lizards, the island night lizard gives birth to live young. This is different from many other lizards that lay eggs. The island night lizard is quite a bit larger than its cousin, the desert night lizard (Xantusia vigilis). The desert night lizard lives in southern California.
Description
Island night lizards are usually between 2.6 and 4.3 inches (6.6 and 10.9 cm) long. This measurement does not include their tail. They typically live for about 11 to 13 years. However, some have been known to live much longer, even up to 30 years or more!
Their color can vary a lot. They might be pale gray, beige, brown, or even black. Their patterns can also be different. Some have a solid color, while others have mottled (blotchy) or striped patterns.
