Field Guide to Maryland's Lizards (Order Squamata)

Sub-order Lacertilia, Family Phrynosomatidae

Eastern Fence Lizard
Sceloporous undulatus

|
Photo of Adult Eastern Fence Lizard courtesy of John White

Size

4 - 7¼ inches.

Appearance

Our only “spiny lizard” or “swift”, it has keeled and pointed scales on its gray (females) to brown (males) back giving it a very rough appearance.

Males have a prominent blue patch bordered by black on each side of the belly and at the base of the throat, and a plain back.

Females have a more conspicuously patterned back, with wavy dark crosslines, and may have some pale blue along the sides and base of throat.

Habitats

A strictly arboreal species, it is relatively common in open dry, sandy woodlands, particularly pine woods. It is often found on rotting logs and stumps and or in backyards on rail fences.

How to Find

Active March to November, however more readily observed mid April through August. Most active mornings and evenings when they may be observed foraging for insect prey on the forest floor. Often detected by the sounds of their scurrying through dry leaves. Can readily be caught by hand against a tree trunk, as they typically only climb a short distance, staying motionless on the opposite side of the trunk.

 

Photo of Eastern Fence Lizard Habitat courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers

Distribution in Maryland

Found throughout the forested areas of Maryland except Garrett County.

 

Top right: Photo of Ventral Male Eastern Fence Lizard courtesy of Paul Kazyak

Maryland Amphibian
and Reptile Atlas Project

"A Joint Project of the Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources"

Recent Newsletters

• November 2011
• October 2011
• August 2011
• June 2011
• May 2011
• April 2011
• March 2011
• February 2011
• January 2011
• December 2010
• November 2010