# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 37 - **Habitat:** Open woodlands and fields. - **Also known as:** Sceloporus Lizard, Southern Fence Lizard ![Eastern Fence Lizard](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424503/objects/5613.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Sceloporus ## 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 - **Bark Camouflage:** Eastern Fence Lizard can blend seamlessly with tree bark and rocks because of its patterned scales that help them disappear from predators. - **Escape Tail:** Eastern Fence Lizard has a special tail that can detach and wiggle, helping them escape when caught by a predator. - **Blue Display:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-beetle) (*Popillia japonica*) — a common garden pest - **Hunts:** [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Argiope aurantia*) — a large, web-building spider - **Eaten by:** Eastern Ratsnake (*Pantherophis obsoletus*) — a common snake predator - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — a small, swift bird of prey ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Fence Lizard? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Fence Lizard? 10-18 cm ### How much does Eastern Fence Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Eastern Fence Lizard live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Eastern Fence Lizard move? 12 km/h ### What does Eastern Fence Lizard eat? These speedy hunters mostly eat small insects and spiders they find in their environment! ### Where is Eastern Fence Lizard usually found? Open woodlands and fields. ### How does Eastern Fence Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Alabama City Wall Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-city-wall-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Gadsden Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gadsden-downtown-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [New River Gorge National Park and Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-river-gorge-national-park-and-preserve) — West Virginia, US · National Park - [Salisbury Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salisbury-zoo) — Maryland, US · Zoo - [Triangle Metro Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/triangle-metro-zoo) — North Carolina, US · Zoo [View all places to see Eastern Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-fence-lizard) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Eastern Fence Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fence-lizard)