Image of Phrynosoma blainvillii Gray 1839

Description:

Was riding my bike up unused paved fire road and saw this little guy. I rode right past him and then notice him looking right at me and stopped and pulled out my phone. Took a few pics and then when I was getting ready to reach for him he ran like the wind! He was a lot faster than I expected! I was really surprised to see him on this old blacktop....this is probably the first time in about 40 years (Yes, i am that old) that I have seen one person. Very happy. I hope they are doing well. They are such a gentle but interesting lizard. Am very pleased to have seen him/her...my son told me his friend found one in Lake Isabella area so I guess that they are not extinct. I would be interested to hear from anyone whose seen any. I should say that he was about 3 to 4 inches long and the terrain bordering the road is very sandy with abundant ants.