Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
38.3989, -122.831
Field Notes
Description:
Western fence lizards measure 5.7-8.9 cm (snout-vent length)[3] and a total length of about 21 cm. They are brown to black in color (the brown may be sandy or greenish) and have black stripes on their backs, but their most distinguishing characteristic is their bright blue bellies. The ventral sides of the limbs are yellow. These lizards also have blue patches on their throats. This bright coloration is faint or absent in both females and juveniles. The scales of S. occidentalis are sharply keeled, and between the interparietal and rear of thighs, there are 35-57 scales.
Notes:
These two males were fighting over a female, which was hiding and also bigger and less colorful. The winner was the bigger and more colorful lizard. He then started bobbing up and down - I'm guessing he's dancing to try to attract his mate.
Comments (14)