Western Fence Lizard: A Guide to Habitat and Behavior

The western fence lizard is a fascinating creature that can be found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

These lizards are primarily herbivores, feeding on plants and flowers, and have a specialized tongue that allows them to lap up nectar from flowers.

They are relatively small, typically growing to about 5-7 inches in length, and have a distinctive pattern of stripes and spots on their backs that help them blend in with their surroundings.

In the wild, they are often found in areas with rocky outcroppings and scrubby vegetation, where they can bask in the sun and hunt for food.

Taxonomy for the western fence lizard has been under much debate, but it's generally agreed to belong in the order Squamata (snakes and lizards) and the suborder Iguania.

The family in which it belongs is still under scrutiny, with most literature still placing the phrynosomatids in Iguanidae, although some research suggests it should be divided into a separate family.

Five subspecies are recognized, including the San Joaquin fence lizard, Coast Range fence lizard, Great Basin fence lizard, Northwestern fence lizard, and Sierra fence lizard.

Here are the recognized subspecies of the western fence lizard:

The western fence lizard measures 5.7–8.9 centimetres or 2.2–3.5 inches (snout-vent length) and a total length of about 21 centimetres (8.3 in), with a brown to black color and black stripes on their backs.

Taxonomy is a vital part of understanding the western fence lizard's place in the world. The western fence lizard belongs to the order Squamata, which includes snakes and lizards.

Squamata is further divided into suborders, with the western fence lizard falling under Iguania. However, the family classification is still up for debate, with some sources placing it in Phrynosomatidae and others in Iguanidae.

Here are the five recognized subspecies of the western fence lizard:

Recent studies have suggested that there may be four clades and 11 genetically separable populations, which could lead to a redefinition of the subspecies.

Western fence lizards are relatively small, measuring 5.7-8.9 centimetres or 2.2-3.5 inches in snout-vent length and about 21 centimetres (8.3 in) in total length.

These lizards are brown to black in color, with black stripes on their backs. Their most distinctive feature, however, is their bright blue belly.

The ventral sides of their limbs are yellow, and male blue belly lizards have blue patches on their throats. This bright coloration is usually absent in females and juveniles.

Some populations of Western fence lizards display iridescent, bright turquoise blue spots on the dorsal surface.

The scales of Western fence lizards are sharply keeled, and between the interparietal and rear of their thighs, there are 35-57 scales.

Many other lizards have similar bright-blue coloring, which can make identification tricky.

Additional reading: Blue Tongue Lizards Australia

The western fence lizard is found in a wide range of habitats, from sea level to 10,800 ft. They can be found in grassland, broken chaparral, sagebrush, woodland, coniferous forest, and farmland.

They generally avoid harsh desert environments and are often found near water. This adaptation allows them to thrive in areas with more moderate climates.

The western fence lizard can be found in several states, including California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and Washington. In Oregon, they can be found in eastern and southwestern parts of the state.

They also inhabit the Columbia River Gorge, southwestern Idaho, and northwestern Baja California. In addition, there is an isolated population in the Northwestern Tualatin Valley, around Henry Hagg Lake.

This species is listed as unprotected, and no conservation restrictions apply.

Suggestion: Alligator Lizard Oregon

These western fence lizards are diurnal, which means they're active during the day, and they love basking in sunny spots like paths, rocks, and fence posts.

They can change color to regulate their body temperature, shifting from light grey or tan to nearly jet black.

As the winter months approach, western fence lizards go through a period of brumation, a state of inactivity that helps them conserve energy.

The length of time they spend in brumation and when they emerge varies depending on the climate.

During mating season, adult males will defend their territory, displaying for both females and rival males with their distinctive "push-ups".

On occasion, they can be seen fighting for dominance.

The western fence lizard's diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, but they're opportunistic eaters and will consume any suitable prey item they come across.

They're excellent climbers and will often escape up trees or scamper around rock faces when threatened or approached.

At night and when conditions are cool or rainy, they'll shelter under rocks and logs to stay safe and dry.

The western fence lizard is a medium-sized lizard, typically ranging in size from 2.2 to 3.4 inches snout to vent length.

Their coloration can vary greatly depending on temperature, with individuals often lightening or darkening to adapt to their surroundings. Adults can be gray, brown, or brownish-black.

The keeled, spiny scales on their back are a distinctive feature, and they often have two rows of light and dark markings running down their back. These markings can be difficult to see when individuals darken.

Males have more extensive and intense blue coloration, especially on their abdomen and throat. They also have scattered blue spots on selected scales on their back.

In contrast, females have faint or lacking blue patches, and their abdominal patches often lack a medial lining of dark black.

Western fence lizards are frequently observed in California's coastal counties and near cities, making them a common sight in urban areas.

San Diego is one city where you can easily spot these lizards, and their popularity on iNaturalist is likely due to their charismatic nature, as people find them easy to find and observe.

The more fence lizard observations you have, the harder people are looking for other species, which means that a dataset of fence lizard sightings can also reveal the presence of rarer or more elusive creatures.

In theory, this means that cities with high fence lizard populations, like San Diego, may also have a higher likelihood of having other interesting species present.

Fence lizards are a gateway species for nature-watchers, as they help people learn how to observe wildlife and appreciate the natural world around them.

Once people start looking at western fence lizards, they start to realize that there are actually lizards in all different places, which can be a fascinating discovery, especially for city dwellers who may not have encountered wildlife before.

The territorial behavior of western fence lizards, which involves them doing "push-ups" to assert dominance over their territory, makes them relatively easy to observe and study in urban areas.

In fact, researchers have found that wearing blue shirts can help them get closer to the lizards, as the males are attracted to the color blue.

This adaptability of western fence lizards to urban environments is likely due to their ability to thrive in a variety of habitats, from rocky outcroppings to stucco walls and fences.

Additional reading: Fish and Wildlife Western Pond Turtle

The Western Fence Lizard is a fascinating creature. It's found in coniferous forests, oak woodland chaparral, and grassland, but is rare in deserts.

These lizards come in a range of colors, from tan to black or brown, with longitudinal grey stripes on their backs and light tan stripes in a horizontal wave pattern. Their most distinctive feature is their bright blue throats and abdominal undersides, which give them the nickname "blue belly".

Only adult males have these bright colorations; females and juveniles are dull. This makes it easy to determine the gender of a Western Fence Lizard.

They have sharply pointed scales, which is why they're considered part of the "spiny lizards" family. These lizards usually grow up to 4.5 to 6.0 in. from the snout to the tip of the tail.

Their fingers and toes have sharp claws for climbing, which helps them navigate their habitat.

The western fence lizard is a common sight in the western United States, but how much do you really know about this little guy? They're found in a variety of habitats, from deserts to grasslands.

Their name comes from the fact that they often bask in the sun on rocks and fences, which helps them regulate their body temperature.

Western fence lizards are relatively small, reaching lengths of up to 5 inches.

In the wild, they're omnivores, eating a mix of insects, plants, and even small vertebrates.

During mating season, males will often engage in a behavior called "push-up displays", where they raise their bodies off the ground and vibrate their tails to attract females.

Female western fence lizards can lay up to 10 eggs at a time, which they bury in the ground to incubate.

Recommended read: Ground Squirrel California