Species · GBIF taxon 6159810
Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii
Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtiiAlso known as Bocourt's Fence Lizard, Coast Range Western Fence Lizard, Bocourt's Lizard
Coast Range fence lizards spend their mornings basking on sunny rocks, logs, and fence posts to regulate their body temperature before hunting. Males fiercely defend their territories using a series of rapid push-ups that flash their brilliant blue belly patches to rivals and potential mates. These active foragers play a vital role in their ecosystem by consuming vast quantities of insects and hosting ticks whose Lyme-causing bacteria are neutralized by a protein in the lizard's blood.
DiurnalInsectivorousSun-loving
Licensed reference(c) Franco Folini, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Insects, spiders, and other small terrestrial invertebrates
- family
- Phrynosomatidae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, domestic cats, and pesticide use
- life Span
- 3 to 5 years
LC
Harmless and safe to observe from a short distance.
- Watch for Push-ups: Look for males performing rapid head-bobs and push-ups on elevated perches to display their blue bellies.
- Approach Slowly: Move quietly and avoid casting sudden shadows, which these vigilant lizards mistake for predatory birds.
- Check the Ticks: Observe their necks closely to spot small, dark ticks, which are safely cleansed of Lyme disease by the lizard's blood.