Though these reptiles are not poisonous they do have defenses against predators. For one, their scale colors allow them to camouflage in their habitat. So, a predator may walk by and not see a leopard lizard on a branch or in a bush.
A second defense is this lizard’s speed. It can run on its hind legs in an effort to escape a predator. If the safety of its burrow is nearby, there’s a chance it may be able to get away from the danger.
This lizard has the ability to detach or ‘drop’ its tail from its body. So, if a predator grabs it by the tail, it can drop it and escape to safety. It’s a large price to pay, but the lizard’s tail eventually grows back.