SAVING THE MOJAVE FRINGE-TOED LIZARD

Mojave fringe-toed lizards have numerous traits tailored to their sand-dwelling lifestyle. Foremost are the lizards' scaly hind toes, which resemble snowshoes and keep them from sinking as they sprint away from predators. Top Mojave fringe-toed lizard speeds have been clocked at 23 miles per hour — no small feat on loose, windblown sand dunes. These lizards plunge into the sand to hide from enemies, yet there they lie most vulnerable, still within reach of off-road vehicles' sand-digging tires.

The Amargosa River population of Mojave fringe-toed lizards occupies three dune ecosystems in and adjacent to Death Valley National Park, the largest of which is the Dumont Dunes, which host a recreation area attracting more than 130,000 off-road riders annually. The number of off-road vehicles trampling this sensitive area continues to climb, presenting a substantial threat to Mojave fringe-toed lizards and their habitat. In an effort to prevent continued habitat destruction from rampant and uncontrolled use of off-road vehicles, the Center petitioned to protect Mojave fringe-toed lizards' Amargosa River population as endangered in 2006.