Roadless Areas
Home/Species/ Granite Night Lizard

Xantusia henshawi

Stejneger, 1893

Granite Night Lizard

G4Apparently Secure Found in 6 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104459
Element CodeARACK01010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyXantusiidae
GenusXantusia
Concept Reference
Lovich, R. 2001. Phylogeography of the night lizard, Xantusia henshawi, in southern California: evolution across fault zones. Herpetologica 57:470-487.
Taxonomic Comments
Xantusia gracilis formerly was included in this species. Grismer and Galvan (1986) described Xantusia henshawi gracilis on the basis of morphological, electrophoretic, and ecological differences from other subspecies. Lovich (2001) used mtDNA data to examine the phylogeography of X. henshawi populations in southern California and concluded that the allopatric subspecies Xantusia henshawi gracilis should be recognized as a distinct species, Xantusia gracilis. This conclusion is supported by previously published allozyme data and a compatible historical biogeographical scenario.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-11-12
Change Date2025-11-12
Edition Date2025-11-12
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G. (2005); rev. R. L. Gundy (2025)
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species has a limited range in southern California and Baja California Norte where it is limited to granite rock outcrops. The primary threat to this species is the permanent destruction of essential microhabitat sites by collectors and enthusiasts seeking out this lizard.
Range Extent Comments
The range extends from southwestern California (Peninsular Ranges and a few other areas) south to the south slope of the Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, México (Wilcox et al. 1995, Lovich 1999, Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). Elevational range is about 120-2,320 meters (400-7,600 feet) (Stebbins 2003). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2025) records, range extent is estimated to be 39,853 km² (RARECAT 2025).
Occurrences Comments
This species is represented by many occurrences or subpopulations. Lee (1976) mapped more than 100 collection sites. Applying a 3 km separation distance to GBIF (2025) records, 210 occurrences are estimated (RARECAT 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although this species is protected from collection, microhabitat sites (exfoliated granite outcrops) are readily and permanently destroyed by illegal collectors and enthusiasts seeking to observe these secretive lizards (Nafis 2025). One study predicted climate change is not likely to be a major threat to this species (Arenas Moreno et al. 2021).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Habitat encompasses rocky canyons, foothill, and hillsides in arid and semiarid areas of chaparral, other shrubland, or pinyon-juniper woodland, particularly massive exfoliating granitic outcrops in shadier parts of canyons or near water (Grismer 2002, Stebbins 2003). This secretive lizard is usually in rock crevices or under rock flakes or fragments by day.

Reproduction

Breeds in late spring. Young (1-2/brood) born alive in the fall (Bezy and Goldberg 2015).
Terrestrial Habitats
DesertBare rock/talus/scree
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
5 - Biological resource useRestricted (11-30%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
5.1 - Hunting & collecting terrestrial animalsRestricted (11-30%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
5.1.1 - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)Restricted (11-30%)Moderate - slightHigh (continuing)
11 - Climate change & severe weatherPervasive (71-100%)Negligible or <1% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
11.3 - Temperature extremesPervasive (71-100%)Negligible or <1% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

—

Roadless Areas (6)
California (6)
AreaForestAcres
Cactus Springs BSan Bernardino National Forest3,106
CalienteCleveland National Forest5,953
Eagle PeakCleveland National Forest6,481
Hixon FlatSan Bernardino National Forest8,095
Pine CreekCleveland National Forest503
Pyramid Peak BSan Bernardino National Forest7,194
References (22)
  1. Arenas Moreno, D. M., R. A. Lara Resendiz, S. F. Domínguez Guerrero, A. G. Pérez Delgadillo, F. J. Muñoz Nolasco, P. Galina Tessaro, F. R. Méndez de la Cruz. 2021. Thermoregulatory strategies of three reclusive lizards (genus <i>Xantusia</i>) from the Baja California peninsula, Mexico, undercurrent and future microenvironmental temperatures. Journal of Experimental Zoology 335: 499-511. doi: 10.1002/jez.2470
  2. Behler, J. L., and F. W. King. 1979. The Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles and amphibians. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 719 pp.
  3. Bezy, R. L., and J. W. Sites, Jr. 1987. A preliminary study of allozyme evolution in the lizard family Xantusiidae. Herpetologica 43:280-292.
  4. Bezy, R. L., and S. R. Goldberg. 2015. Reproduction in night lizards (<i>Xantusia</i>). Sonoroan Herpetologist 28(1): 5-10.
  5. Collins, J. T. 1990. Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles. 3rd ed. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 19. 41 pp.
  6. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. Sixth edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Online with updates at: http://www.ssarherps.org/pages/comm_names/Index.php
  7. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
  8. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  9. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  10. Grismer, L. L. 2002. Amphibians and reptiles of Baja California including its Pacific islands and islands in the Sea of Cortes. University of California Press, Berkeley. xiii + 399 pp.
  11. Grismer, L. L., and M. A. Galvan. 1986. A new night lizard (<i>Xantusia henshawi</i>) from a sandstone habitat in San Diego County, California. Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 21(10):155-165.
  12. Lee, J. C. 1976. <i>Xantusia henshawi</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 189.1-189.2.
  13. Lovejoy, N. R., and B. B. Collette. 2001. Phylogenetic relationships of New World needlefishes (Teleostei: Belonidae) and the biogeography of transitions between marine and freshwater habitats. Copeia 2001:324-338.
  14. Lovich, R. 2001. Phylogeography of the night lizard, Xantusia henshawi, in southern California: evolution across fault zones. Herpetologica 57:470-487.
  15. Lovich, R. E. 1999. Phylogeography of the Night Lizard, <i>Xantusia henshawi</i>, from Southern California. M.S. thesis. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA. 53 pp.
  16. Nafis, G. 2025. California Herps - A Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of California. Available at: http://www.californiaherps.com/ (accessed 12 November 2025).
  17. Peralta García, A., J. H. Valdez Villavicencio, L. A. Fucsko, B. D. Hollingsworth, J. D. Johnson, V. Mata Silva, A. Rocha, D. L. DeSantis, L. W. Porras, and L. D. Wilson. 2023. The herpetofauna of the Baja California Peninsula and its adjacent islands, Mexico: composition, distribution, and conservation status. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 17(1&2): 57-142.
  18. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  19. Stebbins, R. C. 1954a. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York.
  20. Stebbins, R. C. 1985a. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Second edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. xiv + 336 pp.
  21. Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
  22. Wilcox, M. D., S. J. Myers, K. R. Beaman. 1995. Natural history notes: <i>Xantusia h. henshawi</i> (granite night lizard). Herpetological Notes 26(2): 109.