spiny lizards
genus Sceloporus
Member of
sceloporine lizards (subfamily Sceloporinae)
phrynosomatid lizards (family Phrynosomatidae)
lizards (suborder Sauria)
reptiles (class Reptilia)
animals (kingdom Animalia)
There are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.
California Herps has a comparison between species.
western fence lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
- can appear nearly black when cold
- longer and thicker spines on scales
- common
- From California Herps: “Researchers are finding that the traditional taxonomy of Sceloporus occidentalis is incorrect, therefore many herpetologists do not currently break the species down into subspecies.”
- traditionally, all local subspecies are coast range fence lizards, ssp. bocourtii.
western sagebrush lizard
Sceloporus graciosus ssp. gracilis
- smaller scales on back
- shorter and thinner spines on scales
- very rare in the bay area
1 observed taxon / 1 unobserved taxon / 1 key
Chris’s observations: 65 (all are research grade)
Locations:
- Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve: 13
- Russian Ridge OSP: 6
- San Pedro Valley CP: 5
- Stevens Creek CP: 5
- Castle Rock SP: 4
- Butano SP: 2
- Coyote Lake / Harvey Bear Ranch CP: 2
- Pinnacles NP: 2
- Point Lobos SP: 2
- Skyline Ridge OSP: 2
- Sweeney Ridge National Recreation Area: 2
- Almaden Quicksilver CP
- Andrew Molera SP
- Bay Trail
- Big Basin SP
- Crystal Springs Regional Trail
- Desolation Wilderness
- Ed R. Levin CP
- Foothills Nature Preserve, Palo Alto
- Henry Coe SP
- Huckleberry Botanic RP
- Long Ridge OSP
- Los Trancos OSP
- McNee Ranch / Montara Mountain SP
- Mt. Tamalpais Watershed
- Rancho San Antonio OSP
- Sam McDonald CP
- Shannon Valley OSP, Los Gatos
- Ulistac Natural Area, Santa Clara
- Wilder Ranch SP
- Yosemite NP
Months:
- Feb.: 3
- Mar.: 5
- Apr.: 15
- May: 5
- Jun.: 12
- Jul.: 7
- Aug.: 7
- Sep.: 5
- Oct.: 5
- Nov.: 1
For more details, use advanced search.
Taxon info:
iNaturalist
Bay Area species:
iNaturalist
