WESTERN FENCE LIZARD

Sceloporus occidentalis

Western Fence Lizards are a small species of lizard (about 2.25 to 3.5 inches in length) native to the West Coast of the US. Males of the species have bright blue markings on their bellies and throats. Western Fence Lizards are cold-blooded and rely on their environment for warmth, so they like to bask in the sun. They eat a range of small bugs including ticks and scorpions, as well as small lizards, and are eaten by many larger animals, including snakes, shrews, and birds of prey.

When attacked, Western fence Lizards can detach their tails, which wiggle when separated from their bodies, distracting potential predators. Their tails will then regrow over time.

1.   Northwestern Fence Lizard - Sceloporus Occidentalis Occidentalis. https://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/s.o.occidentalis.html. Accessed 15 Feb. 2023.
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https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-738R1.1
4. Sceloporus Occidentalis (Western Fence Lizard). https://digitalatlas.cose.isu.edu/bio/reptile/lacer/scoc/scocfram.htm. Accessed 5 Apr. 2023.