Fence Lizard

Genus Sceloporus

Reptile

Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing fence lizards. While the genus name for these lizards refers to the femoral pores on their legs, they get their common name because they’re often seen resting on fences. There are somewhere around 100 classified fence lizard species, though their classification may change over time with more information. Another common fence lizard name is blue belly lizards. They get this name for the flashy blue bellies seen on fence lizard males. Technically, female and juvenile fence lizards may also sport these blue spots, and there are some species who are much more blue than others, but the males are more distinct. They’ll flash their colors in order to show dominance and protect their territory. They do a push-up like motion to show rivals their bright colors in an attempt to scare the rival off. This can be detrimental for them, as well, though, because that bright flash or color and movement may attract predators.

Predators to fence lizards include birds, snakes like rat snakes and cottonmouths, carnivorous mammals, as well as larger lizards. Domestic cats and dogs may also go after these little reptiles. In size, fence lizards average about six inches (15cm) in total length. Their tails can make up more than half this length. Speaking of their tails, fence lizards are able to drop, or autotomize, their tails in order to distract a predator and escape. Another tactic to avoid being eaten is running away! Fence lizards are also known as pine lizards because they’re often seen climbing pine trees. If they’re approached while on a tree trunk, they’ll scurry over to the other side of the tree and continue doing so if followed. This quick movement lends to their other common name: the swift lizard.

Fence lizards live throughout North and Central America. They can be seen in forests, grasslands, and arid regions like deserts. They spend their nights resting in hiding places under logs and rocks, in rock crevices, or inside tree hollows. During the day, they come out to bask in the sun. This is how they warm up! They also seek out prey during daytime. Fence lizard prey include beetles, millipedes, spiders, snails, and more! They are described as sit and wait predators. During the winter, when they’re less active, some fence lizard species overwinter in underground burrows and then emerge again in spring. This is when they search out a partner.

Fence lizards mate during the late spring and early summer. The female will lay up to a dozen eggs in the ground which hatch up to ten weeks later. She may do this multiple times throughout a single breeding season. The babies are on their own from birth and will take a year to reach reproductive maturity. How long they can survive in the wild is currently unknown, though it’s estimated if they can make it to their first year of age they may live to be five years old!

Fence lizards are sometimes compared to bearded dragons for their spiny appearance which lends to another of their common names: the spiny lizard. They get this name for their spiny-looking, keeled scales. In some parts of their range, spiny lizards are the only native lizards that have this appearance, with others looking like smooth-scaled skinks.

Something noteworthy about fence lizards is that a protein found in their blood is able to destroy the bacteria that causes lyme disease found in ticks. So when a tick carrying Lyme disease bites a fence lizard, the Lyme disease is eradicated from the tick’s system. So in places where fence lizards are quite prevalent, the cases of Lyme disease in other animals tends to be lower! So be sure to thank the next fence lizard you see!

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