Description: Uma inornata is a medium sized lizard species with a flattened body and granular scales, along with a characteristic fringe of pointed scales on the back edges of its toes. The body is a grey color, and patterning consists of dark bands under the tail, dark spots and lines over the shoulders, and diagonal dark lines on the throat. Some individuals display smaller black spots on the belly, and the sides of both sexes may turn pink during breeding season (late April until August). Size (measured from snout to vent) varies considerably with both age and gender; juveniles range from 0 to 5 cm, immature females from 5.1 to 6.9 cm, immature males from 5.1 to 7.9 cm, adult females from 7 to 9.9 cm (mean 8.1 cm), and adult males from 8 to 12.2 cm. (mean 10.2 cm). All males possess two enlarged post-anal scales, while the majority of females (though exceptions do exist) lack these scales.

Habitat: This lizard inhabits sparsely vegetated windblown sand dunes and sandy flats; it requires fine, loose sand for burrowing; vegetation usually is scant, consisting of creosote bush or other scrubby growth, but perennial plants and the annual plant Dicoria canescens are important in providing shelter, plant and insect foods, and other benefits. Individuals seek shelter underground, often in abandoned rodent burrows, or bury themselves in sand.

Range: The lizard is endemic to Coachella Valley, California. The lizard is restricted to habitats with fine, windblown sand deposits in the sandy plains of the Coachella Valley, Riverside County, California. Since the 1970s, estimates of this species' habitat has decreased by about 75% due to human activities. Only a small portion of its original habitat has wind blowing in the fine sand that creates the “blowsand” habitat that it needs to survive.

Found in these States: CA

Diet: Uma inornata is an omnivorous species, feeding on various arthropods, flowers, leaves, and occasionally hatchling lizards. In addition, individuals will consume both their own shed skin and that of other species if encountered. The diet of the fringe-toed lizard varies on an annual cycle, with a primary diet of flowers and plant-dwelling arthropods during the spring and a primary diet of ground-dwelling arthropods and leaves during the summer. During the month of May (the peak of the breeding season) male and female diets differ significantly, with females specializing in energy maximizing foods (anything with high nutritional value) and males specializing in time minimizing foods (usually easily located flowers and plant matter).

Plant species consumed by Uma inornata include Petalonyx thurberi, Psorothamnus arborescens, Tiquilia plicata, and Dicoria canescens, while arthropod species consumed include Veromessor pergandei, Macrobaenetes valgum, Apis melifera, Eremoblatta subdiaphana, and various species of the genera Agallia and Eleodes. Phrynosoma platyrhinos, Callisaurus draconoides, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, and Cnemidophorus sexlineatus hatchlings may also be consumed, along with occasional instances of cannibalism.

Fringe-toed lizards have been observed digging prey out from under the sand, and seem to be able to detect the presence of underground arthropods. Though this species has not been observed to climb plants in order to feed on their flowers, individuals will jump in order to pull down flowers that are out of reach. In one instance, an individual was even observed running and leaping from the top of a sand hill in order to capture a slow flying bee.

Reproduction: The courtship display of Uma inornata involves a male rapidly nodding his head and waving (alternately) each of his front legs as he approaches either a female or another male. After finishing a successful display, the male will attempt to commence courtship by grasping the female by the skin of the neck or shoulder and partially inverting the base of his tail under her cloaca. If the male has performed his display for an unreceptive female or another male, the unreceptive individual will either flee or lift and wave its tail toward the head of the performing male as a signal of rejection. (Carpenter, 1963)

Most individuals are capable of reproduction starting during the second summer following hatching. Males are capable of breeding from mid-April until mid-August, while females are able to breed from late April until early September (resulting in an actual breeding season that ranges from late April until mid-August). Females are believed to lay more than one clutch per year—though this has not been closely studied—with clutches typically containing two to four eggs (average egg size is 21.8 by 11.8 mm). The gestation period is unknown. Male reproductive success has been found to be influenced heavily by precipitation and food supply; in years of low winter precipitation and inadequate nutrition, testes of Uma inornata do not become reproductively active.

Status: Listed as Endangered, in view of its extent of occurrence of less than 5,000 km² and area of occupancy of less than 500 km², with all individuals in fewer than five locations, and a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat.

Taxonomy: