Western Fence Lizard Facts

Video Transcript

"Here I have a western fence lizard. It's from the genus sceloporus. This particular species is found in a variety of habitats across the western United States. They can be found in coastal regions and in mountains as far up as six thousand feet. They typically make their homes in old tree trunks, under rocks, or in wood piles. In a sunny day you can often find this lizard basking in the sun as they are ectotherms, and they need the energy from the sun to produce heat. You won't find these often in western Massachusetts, as we have more suitable habitats for amphibians, such as lakes, ponds, and vernal pools. This is a relatively small lizard; only reaching lengths of about three to four inches. They have overlapping scales that appear sharp and rough in nature, and they are non-glossy. They come in a variety of interesting color ranges, often being brown, tan, and sometimes gray and black. You can tell when you have a male of this particular species, as their underbelly is a beautiful iridescent blue. This particular lizard is a female, and you can tell because her ventral side is tan. They reach sexual maturity at about two years of age, and the female has a very interesting breeding strategy. The female will produce more than one clutch of eggs in the season. The first clutch generally has the largest eggs, and the last clutch generally has the smallest eggs. To make up for this difference the female will provide more paternal investment in the last clutch to ensure their survival. This lizard is an omnivore. They will eat plant matter, but they generally like to eat insects such as beetles, ants, or caterpillars. An interesting fact about this species is that a protein was discovered in their blood that is used to combat the bacterium that produces lyme disease."