Species Reptiles & AmphibiansLesser Earless Lizard

Lesser Earless Lizard

Holbrookia maculata

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Lesser Earless Lizard (Holbrookia maculata)

The Lesser Earless Lizard is a small, agile lizard of the plains and desert Southwest. Like the Greater Earless Lizard, it lacks visible ear openings. It buries itself in sand to escape extreme heat.

Habitat
Sandy plains, shortgrass prairies, and desert flats
Diet
Insects, spiders, and small invertebrates
How common
Common

Best time to see a Lesser Earless Lizard

The best time to see a Lesser Earless Lizard is April–July, when about 71% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 3,986 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Lesser Earless Lizard sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Lesser Earless Lizard? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Lesser Earless Lizard is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love reptiles & amphibians? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More reptiles & amphibians

Lesser Siren
Lesser Siren
Siren intermedia
Lined Snake
Lined Snake
Tropidoclonion lineatum
Little Brown Skink
Little Brown Skink
Scincella lateralis
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Caretta caretta
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
Gambelia wislizenii
Long-nosed Snake
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Long-tailed Salamander
Long-tailed Salamander
Eurycea longicauda
Long-toed Salamander
Long-toed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum