Photo taken in a riparian area, where the Tonto Trail crosses Pipe Creek. The desert spiny lizard is a large, stocky lizard found throughout the inner canyon with a body length of around 6 inches/ 150mm (not including the long tail.) Scales are large and overlap.

Color can be mostly brown, tan, and/or grey with possibly some yellow and/or orange scales here and there. Males have bright blue patches on their belly and throat. Their coloration helps them to blend in with their surroundings so they are not easily seen by predators. Their skin can also become lighter or darker as it responds to light and heat. By doing this, their bodies attempt to control their internal temperature.