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Desert spiny lizards (Sceloporus magister) are large,
prickly lizards from warm, arid parts of the American southwest. They are well-equipped with sharp spine, and when captured the wriggle energetically enough to drive those spines into your hand if you're not careful. Males are a bit larger and more colorful than females, but not to the extent seen in their close relative the granite spiny lizard. I took these pictures at the Big Morongo Reserve and near Bishop, both in the California desert region. The lizard at right (above) is an adult male in breeding colors.
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