Read on Twitter
Yesterday in the Mojave I went on a little search for a creature that can be found living under downed Joshua tree branches, like the ones you see under this elder j tree.
Sure enough after less than 2 flips I found what I was looking for. Desert night lizards (Xantusia vigilis).
These lizards live in small family groups, where the young live with the parents under debris for several years. The small branch I flipped had 3 adults and a juvenile, though there could have been more hiding in the leaves of the yucca branch.
More facts: most night lizards in the Xantusiidae give live birth (viviparous), and though the young can stay with the family for years, they don’t receive and direct care from their parents.
These small lizards were thought to be nocturnal, but just live secretive lives, spending most of their time undercover.
Not only do they spend most of their lives undercover, but they are sedentary. They can spend nearly their entire lives insert the same debris such as a downed Joshua tree branch.
For this reason it’s important to not disturb areas like this. And consider leaving leaf litter, downed branches, and other debris in its place, even in your own yard. These micro habitats are important for wildlife and even serve as nurseries for germinating plants.
