Shrub Steppe - Eastern Washington State

Western fence lizard

Eastern Washington

Western fence lizards or Sceloporus occidentalis live in northeast Washington to the south-central region and south through Oregon and California. They favor dry wooded areas, where they they hunt insects and spiders and perch on rocks, trees and fences-- easy prey for other predators such as hawks and snakes. Fence lizards are closely related to sagebrush lizards and males of both have blue patches under the throat and belly.

These lizards have been found to kill Lyme disease bacteria that infect ticks, which commonly feed around the ears of these lizards. The incidence of Lyme disease is much rarer in regions having Western fence lizard habitat.

 

Wildlife viewing and recreation areas of Eastern Washington state

» Eastern Washington snakes
» Eastern Washington spiders, scorpions and ticks
» Eastern Washington wildlife photography
» Eastern Washington animals and plants

Related information
Western Fence Lizard - Washington Herp Atlas
Western Fence Lizard - San Diego Museum
Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern Washington - WDFW

 

Western fence lizard picture
Western fence lizard
sunning on a rock in Bear Canyon

 

Picture of Western fence lizard or Sceloporus occidentalis with blue patch
Western fence lizard or Sceloporus occidentalis
with blue patch

 

Picture of a Western fence lizard
Western fence lizard keeping an eye out



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