Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard

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iCoachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
Conservation status
Endangered (EN)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Phrynosomatidae Genus: Uma Species: U. inornata
Binomial name
Uma inornata Cope, 1895

The Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard, Uma inornata, is a Californian species of lizard. It is listed as an endangered species in California, a threatened species in the United States and the IUCN classifies it as endangered.

The Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard is restricted to habitats with fine, windblown sand deposits in the sandy plains of the Coachella Valley, Riverside County. Since the 1970s, estimates of this species' habitat have decreased by approximately 75 percent. This may be due to human activities.

The species is well adapted to its desert habitat, it has a wedged-shaped nose which enables it to burrow through loose, fine sand, elongated scales cover the ears to keep out blowing sand, and specialized nostrils that allow it to breathe below the sand without inhaling sand particles.

[edit] References

• Gimenez Dixon (1996). Uma inornata. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN A1a, B1+2c v2.3)
• California Department of Fish and Game. Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Coachella Valley Fringe-toed Lizard