Eastern Fence Lizard

Sceloporus undulatus

The Eastern Fence Lizard is a spiky lizard that loves to bask on fences and rocks. It has a rough texture and can be very fast.

Habitat: Open woodlands and fields.

Appearance

The Eastern Fence Lizard has rough, spiny scales ranging from gray to brown, often with wavy, dark crossbands. Males are easily identified by vibrant blue patches on their throat and sides, which females typically lack or have very faintly.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderLacertiliaFamilyPhrynosomatidaeGenusSceloporus

Eastern Fence Lizard

Interesting facts

Male fence lizards perform push-ups to show strength and attract female mates! Wow!

Their rough, spiky scales help them grip tree bark like tiny rock climbers! Wow!

These lizards often bask on warm rocks or logs to soak up the sun's energy! Wow!

They can lay up to two batches of eggs in a single summer season! Wow!

Special abilities

Eastern Fence Lizard can blend seamlessly with tree bark and rocks because of its patterned scales that help them disappear from predators.

Eastern Fence Lizard has a special tail that can detach and wiggle, helping them escape when caught by a predator.

Eastern Fence Lizard males flash bright blue patches on their throat and sides to attract mates and show dominance to rivals.

Measurements & details

Length: 10-18 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.015 kg
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Top Speed: 12 km/h
Clutch Size: 4-17
Incubation: 40-70 days

Diet & Feeding

These speedy hunters mostly eat small insects and spiders they find in their environment!

Primary Foods

Crickets
Grasshoppers
Beetles
Ants
Spiders

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Japanese Beetle

Popillia japonica

a common garden pest

hunts

Garden Spider

Argiope aurantia

a large, web-building spider

eaten by

Eastern Ratsnake

Pantherophis obsoletus

a common snake predator

eaten by

American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

a small, swift bird of prey

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Camouflaged

Look closely for animals that are masters of disguise, blending perfectly into their surroundings! Their colors and patterns help them hide from others.

Insectivorous

Discover clever creatures that specialize in munching on insects, playing a super important role in keeping bug populations in check. They are nature's tiny bug vacuums!

Forest

These lush habitats are filled with countless trees, offering homes to a huge variety of plants and animals! Immerse yourself in the green canopy.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.