Characteristics:
This medium sized lizard grows to a length of around 7in. The rough almost spikey appearance gives this lizard a very distinct look that is very different from anything else in the region. The back is light gray to brown with dark markings. The belly is mostly white with blue
or green markings along the side. During breeding season the throat of the males becomes very bright blue with black markings.
*Note: The fence lizards in this area are considered to be sub-species called the Northern Fence Lizard (S. u. hyacinthinus).
Habitat:
Often seen in wooded areas or on the edge of woods. Open rocky areas are also a favorite haunt of these lizards. The glades in Missouri are ideal habitat for the fence lizard. Also, as the name suggests, they can be found basking on fences and junk piles.
Behavior:
This diurnal species of lizard often will dash off of a rock where it was basking, climb a short way up a tree, and proceed to hide on the opposite side. It will continue to move around the tree to remain on the opposite side from the on looker. Mating happens in mid to late spring and it is during this time that the males are most prominent. Eggs are laid around July and hatch a few weeks later. In mid to late August it is not uncommon to see large numbers of hatchlings. As with the other species in this area, the fence lizard is insectivorous preying mostly on things like grasshoppers.
Personal Remarks:
The fence lizard is a real treat to photograph. Much easier to catch than the skinks, these guys make great pictures. If you flip them over gently in your hand and run your finger along their belly, they will lay motionless allowing you to snap some nice pictures of the colorful underbelly. This lizard can be quite entertaining to watch. The behavior they exhibit of trying to stay on the opposide side of a tree branch from you looks almost like something out of a cartoon.
Similar to the ground skinks, it seems like we either see huge numbers of these guys or none at all. There are some places in MO where they are so abundant that you have to tune out the sound of them running though the leaves when trying to find other things. The glades in MO, in particular, are a great place to observe the fence lizard.
This medium sized lizard grows to a length of around 7in. The rough almost spikey appearance gives this lizard a very distinct look that is very different from anything else in the region. The back is light gray to brown with dark markings. The belly is mostly white with blue
or green markings along the side. During breeding season the throat of the males becomes very bright blue with black markings.
*Note: The fence lizards in this area are considered to be sub-species called the Northern Fence Lizard (S. u. hyacinthinus).
Habitat:
Often seen in wooded areas or on the edge of woods. Open rocky areas are also a favorite haunt of these lizards. The glades in Missouri are ideal habitat for the fence lizard. Also, as the name suggests, they can be found basking on fences and junk piles.
Behavior:
This diurnal species of lizard often will dash off of a rock where it was basking, climb a short way up a tree, and proceed to hide on the opposite side. It will continue to move around the tree to remain on the opposite side from the on looker. Mating happens in mid to late spring and it is during this time that the males are most prominent. Eggs are laid around July and hatch a few weeks later. In mid to late August it is not uncommon to see large numbers of hatchlings. As with the other species in this area, the fence lizard is insectivorous preying mostly on things like grasshoppers.
Personal Remarks:
The fence lizard is a real treat to photograph. Much easier to catch than the skinks, these guys make great pictures. If you flip them over gently in your hand and run your finger along their belly, they will lay motionless allowing you to snap some nice pictures of the colorful underbelly. This lizard can be quite entertaining to watch. The behavior they exhibit of trying to stay on the opposide side of a tree branch from you looks almost like something out of a cartoon.
Similar to the ground skinks, it seems like we either see huge numbers of these guys or none at all. There are some places in MO where they are so abundant that you have to tune out the sound of them running though the leaves when trying to find other things. The glades in MO, in particular, are a great place to observe the fence lizard.
