Female Eastern Fence Lizard - Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus rear view
Sceloporus undulatus is a medium-sized species of lizard found along forest edges, rock piles, and rotting logs or stumps from the Mid-Atlantic states to Texas. They are sometimes referred to as the prairie lizard, fence swift, or gray lizard.
The generic name: Sceloporus is derived from the from the Greek skelos meaning "leg", and the Latin porus, meaning "hole", referring to the enlarged femoral pores found in this genus of lizards. The specific name, undulatus is Latin for "wave," referring to the transverse dark cross-bars on the backs of these lizards.
The eastern fence lizard can grow from 4 to 7.25 inches long. It is typically colored in shades of gray or brown, and has keeled scales (keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch), with a dark line running along the rear of the thigh. A female is usually gray and has a series of dark, wavy lines across her back. The belly is white with black flecks, with some pale blue on the throat and belly. The male is usually brown, and during the summer, has a more greenish-blue and black coloration on the sides of the belly and throat than the female has. The young look like the females, but are darker and duller.
They closely resemble the western fence lizard, but differ slightly in coloration and live in a different area and habitat.
Fence lizards are diurnal, and spend much of their time basking. Their diet consists of insects and spiders. When surprised, they often will dash for a nearby tree, climb up a short distance, and then hide on the opposite side of the trunk, moving around to stay on the opposite side if approached.
Eastern fence lizards mate in spring, and lay three to 16 eggs in late spring or early summer. The young hatch in summer and fall.
Female Eastern Fence Lizard - Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus rear view
Sceloporus undulatus is a medium-sized species of lizard found along forest edges, rock piles, and rotting logs or stumps from the Mid-Atlantic states to Texas. They are sometimes referred to as the prairie lizard, fence swift, or gray lizard.
The generic name: Sceloporus is derived from the from the Greek skelos meaning "leg", and the Latin porus, meaning "hole", referring to the enlarged femoral pores found in this genus of lizards. The specific name, undulatus is Latin for "wave," referring to the transverse dark cross-bars on the backs of these lizards.
The eastern fence lizard can grow from 4 to 7.25 inches long. It is typically colored in shades of gray or brown, and has keeled scales (keeled scales refer to reptile scales that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center that may or may not extend to the tip of the scale, making them rough to the touch), with a dark line running along the rear of the thigh. A female is usually gray and has a series of dark, wavy lines across her back. The belly is white with black flecks, with some pale blue on the throat and belly. The male is usually brown, and during the summer, has a more greenish-blue and black coloration on the sides of the belly and throat than the female has. The young look like the females, but are darker and duller.
They closely resemble the western fence lizard, but differ slightly in coloration and live in a different area and habitat.
Fence lizards are diurnal, and spend much of their time basking. Their diet consists of insects and spiders. When surprised, they often will dash for a nearby tree, climb up a short distance, and then hide on the opposite side of the trunk, moving around to stay on the opposite side if approached.
Eastern fence lizards mate in spring, and lay three to 16 eggs in late spring or early summer. The young hatch in summer and fall.