Reptile · GBIF taxon 2451347
Sceloporus undulatus
sceloporus undulatusAlso known as Fence Swift, Pine Lizard, Gray Lizard, Northern Fence Lizard
Eastern fence lizards spend sunny mornings basking on elevated wooden fences, tree trunks, and rock outcrops before actively foraging for invertebrates. Males display brilliant iridescent blue patches along their throats and bellies during the spring breeding season, performing rapid head-bobs and push-ups to defend territories. When startled, these quick-footed reptiles dash upward around the far side of a tree trunk, keeping the bark between themselves and potential threats.
DiurnalArborealReptile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Beetles
- Ants
- Spiders
Predators
- Hawks
- Snakes
- Domestic Cats
ThreatsInvasive fire ants, habitat fragmentation, domestic cats
HabitatsOpen pine woodlands, forest edges, rock piles, wooden fences
Life span3 to 5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae
- GenusSceloporus
- Speciessceloporus undulatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look along wooden fence rails, sunny fallen logs, and pine trunks during warm mornings.
- Approaching: Walk slowly without casting a shadow over the lizard to avoid triggering an escape flee.
- Handling: Avoid capturing or grabbing by the tail, which detaches easily as an anti-predator defense.
Predator (c) Deana Tempest Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY) / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Competitor & Threat (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Connor Long / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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