Emily Taylor is a professor of biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where she conducts research on the physiology, ecology, and conservation biology of lizards and snakes. Taylor is founder of the community science initiative Project RattleCam (rattlecam.org) and owner of Central Coast Snake Services (centralcoastsnakeservices.com). Her first book, California Snakes and How to Find Them, was published by Heyday in 2024. She lives in Atascadero, CA. Follow her at @snakeymama.
Preface
Introduction
Lizards in Wonderland: Why California Has So Many Lizards
What are Lizards?
A Tale of Two Lizards
How to Find and Watch Lizards in California
Catching Lizards: A Cautionary "Tail"
Family Anguidae
* Northern Alligator Lizard
* Southern Alligator Lizard
* Panamint Alligator Lizard
Family Anniellidae
* Legless Lizards
Family Chamaeleonidae
* Jackson’s Chameleon
Family Crotaphytidae
* Great Basin Collared Lizard
* Baja California Collared Lizard
* Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard
* Long-nosed and Cope’s Leopard Lizards
Family Dactyloidae
* Green Anole
* Brown Anole
Family Eublepharidae
* Switak’s Banded Gecko
* Western Banded Gecko
Family Gekkonidae
* Rough-tailed Bowfoot Gecko
* House Geckos
Family Helodermatidae
* Gila Monster
* Family Iguanidae
* Desert Iguana
* Common Chuckwalla
Family Lacertidae
* Italian Wall Lizard
Family Phrynosomatidae
* Zebra-tailed Lizard
* Banded Rock Lizard
* Coast Horned Lizard
* Pygmy Short-horned Lizard
* Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
* Desert Horned Lizard
* Common Sagebrush Lizard
* Desert Spiny Lizard
* Fence Lizards
* Granite Spiny Lizard
* Fringe-toed Lizards
* Brush Lizards
* Ornate Tree Lizard
* Common Side-blotched Lizard
Family Phyllodactylidae
* Peninsula Leaf-toed Gecko
* Wall Geckos
* Family Scincidae
* Ocellated Skink
* Gilbert’s Skink
* Western Skink
Family Teiidae
* Orange-throated Whiptail
* Non-native Whiptails
* Western Whiptail
Family Xantusiidae
* Sandstone and Granite Night Lizards
* Island Night Lizard
* Desert Night Lizard and Relatives
Acknowledgments
Recommended Further Reading
About the Author
