western fence lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
Member of
spiny lizards (genus Sceloporus)
sceloporine lizards (subfamily Sceloporinae)
phrynosomatid lizards (family Phrynosomatidae)
lizards (suborder Sauria)
reptiles (class Reptilia)
animals (kingdom Animalia)
This species has subspecies or variants that don't seem worth distinguishing.
- 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.
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
