| [[Western
Fence Lizard]] |
| Nick Name: Blue-belly, Western Swift, Jewelled Swift, Crevice lizard |
| Scientific Name: Sceloporus occidentalis |
| Size: 3 1/2 to 4 inches (snout-vent length) and about 6-7 inches total |
| Physical Appearance:
Color: Coloration ranges from light gray to black with dark blotches on the back that continue down the tail. Their bellies are blue or a light green. Skin: The scales are keeled and feel somewhat spiny. Female:The female lizards lack that coloration on their bellies. Legs: their legs stick out to give them a snake like appearance when moving. |
| Habitat: grassland, chaparral, sagebrush, woodlands, open coniferous forest and farmlands. They are common in the Suisun Marsh area. |
| Diet: insects/
athropods · Main food source: insects, insect larvae, spiders · Feeding time: usually once or twice a day |
| Behavior:
enjoys being on fences so it can feel the sun; likes watching for
food and predators. The Western Fence Lizard can change its color
to match it's background. If attacked by a predator the blue belly
can detach it tail, and a new one will grow back. |
| Breeding/Growth: · Breeding: Mating occurs around May or June. There can be up to as many as ten eggs per clutch that can be laid as early as July, producing hatchlings as early as mid-August. · Growth: A Western Fence Lizard grows to about 3 1/2 to 4 inches and in total body lenght of 6 inches. The baby lizards after hatching start out at about 2 1/2 inches in total. Lifespan: up to 3 years, though some have been known to live longer. |
This website created by:
Kimberly B. at Fairfield High, Room A25, Mrs. Link's Multimedia, Period
2
References:
Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection http://www.anapsid.org/swifts.html
Kaweahoaks Preserve http://kaweahoaks.com/html/lizard_western_fence.htm
(information and bottom photo)
Top photo courtesy of California Academy of Science:
CalPhotos: A database of photos of plants, animals, habitats and other
natural history subjects [web application]. Digital Library Project, University
of California, Berkeley. Available: http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/photos/.
(Accessed: Apr 15 2003)