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| Key Facts | |
| Regions Found: | Central Idaho and south through Nevada and west to the Pacific coast of the United States |
| Class: | |
| Longevity: | |
| Years to Maturity: | |
| Adult Size: | 15.2-23.5 cm (6-9.25″) |
| Temperament: | |
| Housing, Heating and Humidity | |
| Housing Size: | |
| Temperature: | |
| Humidity: | |
| Special Requirements: | |
| Breeding | |
| Breeding Difficulty: | moderate |
| Gestation Period: | 12-14 weeks |
| Incubation Temperature: | |
| Incubation Humidity: | |
| Incubation Period: | |
Contents |
Introduction
S. occidentalis is most commonly referred to as the Western fence lizard. Found from central Idaho and south through Nevada and west to the Pacific coast of the United States. Also known as the ‘Blue-Belly’ lizard and frequently mistaken for the similar species Uta stansburiana.
Description
The Western fence lizard grows to between 15.2-23.5 cm (6-9.25″). They feature lots of spiny scales over the top of their bodies, those running onto the thigh gradually decrease in size. They are an olive, dark brown colour, with a pattern of paired blotches or wavy bands down their backs and occasionally some striping. Undersurfaces of legs are usually a yellowish-orange. They have blue patches on the sides of their bellies, mature males have blue patches on their throats.
Choosing a Western fence lizard
Preparing a home for an Western fence lizard
Housing size
Substrates
Hiding places
Drinking
Decor
Lighting
Temperature
Feeding
Hatchlings
Yearlings plus
Health
Shedding
Breeding
This species mates in early spring. A typical gestation period of 12-14 weeks results in a single clutch of between 3-14 eggs, laid May to July. The eggs will then hatch sometime between July to September.