# Western Fence Lizard (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) The Western Fence Lizard is a small, friendly lizard that loves to bask in the sun. With its beautiful blue belly, it can often be seen resting on rocks or fences in warm areas. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 254 - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Blue Belly, Western Blue Belly Lizard ![Western Fence Lizard](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426109/objects/14.jpg) ## Appearance The Western Fence Lizard has keeled (ridged) scales that give it a spiny appearance and can range from grey to brown or black. Males display bright blue patches on their throat and belly, distinguishing them from females and other similar lizards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Phrynosomatidae - **Genus:** Sceloporus ## Interesting facts - Males flash bright blue belly patches to attract mates and warn rivals. Wow! - They can regrow a lost tail, but it often looks a bit different! Wow! - They use their excellent eyesight to spot tiny insects from far away! Wow! - Western Fence Lizards eat thousands of pest insects, helping gardens thrive! Wow! ## Special abilities - **Tick Tamer:** The Western Fence Lizard has a special protein in its blood that kills the bacteria causing Lyme disease in ticks, making them less harmful. - **Instant Escape:** Western Fence Lizards can detach their tail if grabbed by a predator, letting them escape while the tail wiggles to distract. - **Temperature Tuner:** Western Fence Lizards can slightly lighten or darken their skin to absorb more or less sunlight, helping them control their body temperature. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5.7-21 cm - **Weight:** 0.006-0.018 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-7 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-17 - **Incubation:** 40-70 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and spiders found in their habitat. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Beetles, Flies, Ants, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Gopher Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/gopher-snake) (*Pituophis catenifer*) — Often hunted by these common snakes. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — A frequent meal for these birds of prey. - **Hunts:** [Ant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ant) (*Formica fusca*) — Actively preys on various ant species. - **Hunts:** Cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Feasts on crickets and other ground insects. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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 Western 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 Western Fence Lizard? 5.7-21 cm ### How much does Western Fence Lizard weigh? 0.006-0.018 kg ### How long does Western Fence Lizard live? 2-7 years ### How fast can Western Fence Lizard move? 10 km/h ### What does Western Fence Lizard eat? Tiny hunters, they feast on insects and spiders found in their habitat. ### Where is Western Fence Lizard usually found? Grasslands ### How does Western Fence Lizard hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Arastradero Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arastradero-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-diamond-mines-regional-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Cabrillo National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cabrillo-national-monument) — California, US · National Park [View all places to see Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-fence-lizard) ## Watch - [Play video: Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/videos/western-fence-lizard) - [YouTube](https://www.snappit.app/rejected_by_user) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [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*) - [Northern Curly-tailed Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-curly-tailed-lizard) (*Leiocephalus carinatus*) --- Source: [Western Fence Lizard: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard)