The Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is a common lizard of California and the surrounding area. It is also known as the Blue-belly. Not all fence lizards have a "blue belly". Smaller sized, immature fence lizards have sand colored bellies until they mature. Though they do not have colored bellies, they are still referred to as a 'blue belly'. There is a pair in the herb garden and this large individual in the driveway. They seem to prefer elevated basking sites where they can keep an eye on their territory and watch for insects.
Ten Facts about Western Fence Lizard
- Western fence lizards measure 5.7-8.9 cm (snout-vent length)[3] and a total length of about 21 cm.
- its defenses is the ability to change colors according to its surroundings.
- Although California is the heart of the range of this lizard, it is also found in eastern and southwest Oregon, as well as in the Columbia River Gorge, southwest Idaho, Nevada, western Utah, and northwestern Baja California.
- It is found in grassland, broken chaparral, sagebrush, woodland, coniferous forest, even farmland, and occupy elevations from sea level up to 10,800 ft.[3] They generally avoid the harsh desert.
- The Western fence lizard eats spiders and insects.
- Western fence lizards mate in the spring, and do not breed until the spring of their second year.
- Females lay 1-3 clutches of 3-17 eggs (usually 8) between April and July. The eggs hatch in August.
- It is thought that the presence of western fence lizards diminishes the danger of transmission of Lyme disease by ticks.
- It is a member of the genus Sceloporus, and therefore is a spiny lizard.
- Predators include snakes, birds, and even some mammals, like shrews.
