Eastern fence lizard 3059647 212972490 2008-05-17T03:18:27Z 70.123.110.179 /* In captivity */ Punctuation {{Taxobox | name = Eastern Fence Lizard | image = Eastern_Fence_Lizard(Juvenile).JPG | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Reptile|Reptilia]] | ordo = [[Squamata]] | subordo = [[Iguania]] | familia = [[Phrynosomatidae]] | genus = ''[[Sceloporus]]'' | species = '''''S. undulatus''''' | binomial = ''Sceloporus undulatus'' | binomial_authority = Bosc, [[1801]] }} The '''Eastern Fence Lizard''' (''Sceloporus undulatus'') is a medium sized [[species]] of [[lizard]] found along [[forest]] edges, rock piles, and rotting logs or stumps from the Mid-Atlantic states (Southern [[New York]], [[New Jersey]] and [[Pennsylvania]]) across the southeast states to the [[Great Plains]], and south into northern [[Mexico]]. They are sometimes referred to as the '''Prairie Lizard''' or '''Gray Lizard'''. The Eastern Fence Lizard can grow from 4 to 7.25 inches long. It is typically colored in shades of gray or brown, and has [[Keeled scales|keeled]] [[scale (zoology)|scales]], with a dark line running along the rear of the thigh. Females are usually gray and have a series of dark, wavy lines across their back. Their belly is white with black flecks, and they have some pale blue on their throat and belly. Males are usually brown and during the summer they have a lot more greenish-blue and black coloration on the sides of the belly and throat than the female has. The young look like the females, but are darker and duller. [[Image:EasternFenceLizard_Egg.png|left|thumb|Picture of an Eastern Fence Lizard's Egg.]] [[Image:EasternFenceLizardPair.png|right|thumb|A pair of Eastern Fence Lizards.]] They closely resemble the [[Western fence lizard]], but differ slightly in coloration and live in a completely different area and habitat. Fence lizards are [[diurnal animal|diurnal]] and spend much of their time basking. Their [[diet (nutrition)|diet]] consists of primarily [[insect]]s and [[spider]]s. When surprised, they often will dash for a nearby tree, climb up a short distance, and then hide on the opposite side of the trunk, moving around to stay on the opposite side if approached. Eastern Fence Lizards mate in spring, and lay 3-16 eggs in late spring or early summer. The young hatch in summer and fall. == In captivity == Fence Lizards are commonly kept in captivity, due to their small size and ease of care, though they are rarely [[captive breeding|captive bred]]. Wild caught specimens acclimate to captivity well, and will typically feed readily on commercially available [[cricket (insect)|crickets]] and [[mealworm]]s. [[Image:EFLizardwithflower.jpg|right|thumb|Eastern Fence Lizards make fun pets. This one was holding a flower.]] == Subspecies == There are ten recognized [[subspecies]] of ''S. undulatus'': *''[[Sceloporus undulatus belli]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[David Chiszar|Chiszar]] & [[Julio A. Lemos-Espinal|Lemos-Espinal]], 1995) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus cowlesi]]'' ([[C.H. Lowe|Lowe]] & [[K.S. Norris|Norris]], 1956) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus elongatus]]'' ([[Leonhard Hess Stejneger|Stejneger]], 1890) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus erythrocheilus]]'' ([[T.P. Maslin|Maslin]], 1956) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus garmani]]'' ([[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1882) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus]]'' (Green, 1818) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus speari]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], [[David Chiszar|Chiszar]] & [[Julio A. Lemos-Espinal|Lemos-Espinal]], 1995) *''[[Sceloporus undulatus tedbrowni]]'' ([[Hobart M. Smith|Smith]], BELL, APPLEGARTH & [[David Chiszar|Chiszar]], 1992 *''[[Sceloporus undulatus tristichus]]'' ([[Edward Drinker Cope|Cope]], 1875) *''Sceloporus undulatus undulatus'' (Bosc & [[François Marie Daudin|Daudin]], 1801) == References == *{{EMBL species|genus=Sceloporus|species=grammicus}} {{commons|Sceloporus undulatus}} ==External links== *[http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/lizards/Sce_und.html Pictures and Resourceful Information on the Eastern Fence Lizards] *[http://www.repticzone.com/caresheets/1021.html Care Sheet for pet owners of the Eastern Fence Lizard] *[http://www.eoni.com/~neener/fence.html Small HomePage dedicated to Eastern Fence Lizards] [[Category:Phrynosomatids]] [[Category:Reptiles of the United States|Lizard, Eastern Fence]] [[nl:Haagleguaan]]