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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University.  Site last updated: 05/21/07.

Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps;  Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo

Eastern fence lizard

Description

    The Eastern Fence Lizard is very distinct in appearance and is the only member of Family Phrynosomatidae found in Maryland.  It is medium in size (9 – 19 cm) with a very rough, scaly appearance due to keeled, overlapping scales with backward-pointing projections.  Dorsal and ventral scales are roughly the same size.  They range in color from gray to brown with dark brown or black crossbars or spots on the back and tail which are more prominent in females. Sexual dimorphism is seen as color variation between males and females.  The female venter and throat are generally whitish with black speckling and a hint of blue may be seen on the throat.  During the breeding season, males have very obvious bright blue patches bordered in black on the throat and lateral sides of the venter.  Juveniles look very similar to the females, although their coloration and markings are not as bright.

Habitat

    This lizard prefers very sunny areas and does not regularly venture too deep into forested areas where sunlight is a limited resource.  They are largely arboreal and can be found in old fields, open woodlots, grassy dunes and dry open areas in deciduous, coniferous or mixed deciduous-coniferous forests.  They are commonly found climbing around rotting logs, woodpiles and debris piles. 

Breeding

    Males and females hibernate during the winter months and emerge in the spring.  Shortly thereafter, males set up and defend mating territories.  When other males and females move inside the boundary of a male’s territory, he will exhibit display behaviors which include push-ups that show off his bright blue colored vent, head bobbing and extension of the dewlap.    Mating takes place between April and August.  Females lay 3-13 elliptical eggs in a nest found in the soil or under debris.  While yearlings can only lay 1 clutch per season, older females can lay anywhere from 2-4 clutches per breeding season.  Eggs hatch between June and September.

Distribution in Maryland

Range map adapted from Harris, 1975. 

Links

http://www.uga.edu/~srelherp/lizards/sceund.htm

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/species/display.asp?id=030002

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/herps_of_NC/lizards/Sce_und.html