# Southwestern Fence Lizard (*Sceloporus cowlesi*) The Southwestern Fence Lizard is a small, spiky lizard that loves to bask in the sun. With its bright colors and fast movements, it can be a fun friend to spot in the wild! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Southwestern Fence Lizard](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sceloporus_cowlesi_adult_male_White_Sands_NM.jpeg&width=800) Photo: Vicente Mata-Silva, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sceloporus_cowlesi_adult_male_White_Sands_NM.jpeg) ## Appearance The Southwestern Fence Lizard is typically gray to brownish, often marked with darker spots or wavy crossbands. It has distinctly keeled, spiny scales giving it a rough texture. Males display bright blue patches on their throat and belly, especially during breeding season. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Sceloporus ## Interesting facts - If a predator grabs its tail, this lizard can simply snap it off! - Males do speedy push-ups to impress females and warn other lizards! - These lizards love sunbathing to get energy for their daily adventures! - They are like tiny pest control experts, eating many garden insects! ## Special abilities - **Tail Escape:** Southwestern Fence Lizard can drop its tail if caught, because it helps them escape from predators. - **Color Blending:** Southwestern Fence Lizard can subtly change its skin color, because it helps them blend in with their surroundings. - **Expert Climber:** Southwestern Fence Lizard has strong claws and feet that helps them climb vertical surfaces with ease. - **Heat Seeker:** Southwestern Fence Lizard can find sunny spots to warm its body, because it helps them stay active and hunt. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.015 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-10 - **Incubation:** 45-60 days ## Diet & Feeding These lizards are tiny hunters, munching on small bugs and spiders that cross their path. - **Primary Foods:** ants, beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, spiders, flies - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — A common snake predator in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — These birds of prey hunt lizards from above. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — A common insect prey species for the lizard. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [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) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a lizard, watch it from a distance and don't try to catch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Southwestern 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 Southwestern Fence Lizard? 10-18 cm ### How much does Southwestern Fence Lizard weigh? 0.005-0.015 kg ### How long does Southwestern Fence Lizard live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Southwestern Fence Lizard move? 10 km/h ### What does Southwestern Fence Lizard eat? These lizards are tiny hunters, munching on small bugs and spiders that cross their path. ### Where is Southwestern Fence Lizard usually found? Desert ### How does Southwestern Fence Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-nature-center-and-botanical-gardens) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Albuquerque Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albuquerque-aquarium) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chihuahuan-desert-research-institute) — Texas, US · Botanical Garden - [Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/living-desert-zoo-and-gardens-state-park) — New Mexico, US · Botanical Garden - [Rio Grande Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rio-grande-botanic-garden) — New Mexico, US · Zoo [View all places to see Southwestern Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/southwestern-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: [Southwestern Fence Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/southwestern-fence-lizard)