Species profile
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
At a glance
Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 65 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 176,218 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with California, Oregon, and Nevada the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Nicknamed 'blue-belly' for the vivid blue patches on the abdomen and throat of males.
- A protein in its blood kills the Lyme disease bacterium inside feeding ticks, reducing transmission.
- Performs rapid push-up displays to defend territory and signal rivals.
- Typically 6–9 inches in total length including the tail.
- Found from sea level up to approximately 10,500 feet elevation across the Pacific Coast states.
Where Western Fence Lizard are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Western Fence Lizard
Background
The western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) is a common lizard of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Northern Mexico, and the surrounding area. As the ventral abdomen of an adult is characteristically blue, it is also known as the blue-belly.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Western Fence Lizard article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.