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Southwestern Fence Lizard

Southwestern fence lizard is a species of small lizard native to southwest United States and north-central Mexico. The species is diurnal. The lizard is most active during mid morning and late afternoon during the summer. It can be active throughout the day during spring and fall.

Scientific Classification
Quick Information

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Iguania
Family	Iguanidae
Subfamily	Phrynosomatinae
Genus	Sceloporus
Scientific Name	Sceloporus cowlesi

Other Names	White Sands prairie lizard, White Sands swift
Size	Up to 7.6 cm (snout to vent)
Color	Gray-brown to golden-brown with two light stripes on the back, a broad gray stripe appears on the middle of the upper surface; belly of the males have two large, bright blue patches, two blue blotches appears on the underside of the throat
Distribution	Southwest United States and north-central Mexico
Habitat	Chihuahuan Desertscrub, Semidesert Grassland, Madrean Evergreen Woodland, Great Basin Desertscrub, Plains and Great Basin Grassland, woodlands, Petran Montane Conifer Forest, low valleys, grassy plains, bajadas, foothills, steep mountainous terrain like rocky canyons and forested slopes
Diet	Insects like termites, ants, grasshoppers, flies, beetles, larvae, and wasps; also feed on spiders, snails, and small lizards
Hibernation Fact	Hibernate during winter and late fall
Breeding Season	Spring through early summer
Mode of Reproduction	Oviparous (egg laying)
Clutch Size	1 to 10 eggs