Information on the Blue Bellied Lizard

The blue bellied lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is also known as the Western fence lizard or a swift. There are several different subspecies for this lizard family such as the coast range fence lizard and the Northwestern fence lizard. The blue bellies are the most common species of lizard in California, according to the Friends of Hercules website.

Identification

The San Diego Natural History Museum and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources describe male blue bellied lizards as being a light gray, brown or black color, with dark brown or black splotches on their backs and tails. The insides of their legs are yellow and their underbellies are green or blue. The coloring of females, hatchlings and juvenile lizards is drab when compared to the vivid coloration of the males. The adults grow to about 6 inches in length including the tail. They have rough, spiny scales on their backs and limbs.

Habitat

The blue bellied lizard lives in the Western United States. The San Diego Natural History Museum claims that these lizards can be found as far south as Northwestern Baja, California and as far north as Oregon, Idaho and Washington. They can be found living in grasslands, along shorelines and in forested areas, but they are unable to survive in the desert regions.

Life Cycle

According to the San Diego Natural History Museum, blue bellied lizards mate and lay their eggs in spring. The Digital Atlas of Idaho indicates that the female blue bellied lizard lays her eggs between April and July. The number of eggs that the female lays depends upon her size. The small females may only lay three eggs in a clutch, while the larger females can lay as many as 17 eggs. When the baby lizards hatch in August they are just over 2 inches in length.

Food Chain

The Western fence lizard eats insects and spiders. The lizard is often found basking on fence posts and other high areas where it can watch for food. Its liking for high places makes it an easy meal for carnivorous snakes, mammals and birds.

Benefits to Humans

The lizards provide an important benefit for humans because they may help to reduce the incidences of Lyme disease in their range. About 5 percent of all ticks carry Lyme disease, but the disease is killed in ticks when the ticks feed on the lizard.

Captivity

The Keeping Exotic Pets website indicates that blue bellied lizards need a large lidded tank. They do not recommend keeping more than one male in an aquarium since these lizards tend to be highly territorial. Bark chips, compost or moss can be used as a substrate for the bottom of the aquarium. The lizards also need places to hide and climb. The temperature in the tank should be kept between 62 and 68 F at night and 77 to 80 F during the daytime. The lizards will also need a heat lamp for basking. They will eat live crickets, mealworms and earthworms.

References

• San Diego Natural History Museum: Sceloporus Occidentalis, Western Fence Lizard
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources: Western Fence Lizard
• Digital Atlas of Idaho: Sceloporus Occidentalis (Western Fence Lizard)
• A Guide to Wildlife in Hercules: Reptiles in Hercules: Western Fence Lizard
• Keeping Exotic Pets: Swifts and Fence Lizards