- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Sceloporus occidentalis longipes
- CLASSIFICATION
- Reptile
- LIFE SPAN
- 5-7 Years
- STATE CONSERVATION STATUS
-
- Unprotected
- FEDERAL CONSERVATION STATUS
- Least Concern
- GAME STATUS
- Non-Game
- GAME TYPE
- None
- Washoe
- Humboldt
- Pershing
- Churchill
- Mineral
- Lyon
- Douglas
- Carson City
- Storey
- Elko
- Lander
- Eureka
- White Pine
- Esmeralda
- Nye
- Lincoln
- Clark
Habitat & Range
The Great Basin Fence Lizard is found throughout the state in a variety of habitats such as the pinyon-juniper woodlands, desert scrub, and dry rocky areas.
- Alpine forests of the Sierras
- Cold desert shrubland and sagebrush
- Pinyon juniper forests
Threats
- Habitat Degradation
- Habitat Loss
The Great Basin Fence Lizard is known for its quick, jerky movements, this lizard spends much of its time basking in the sun to regulate its body temperature. Its diet mainly consists of insects, but it occasionally feeds on spiders and other small invertebrates, helping to control pest populations in its environment.
During the spring, males display vibrant blue patches on their bellies and throats as part of courtship behavior. Breeding takes place after the lizards emerge from winter brumation, and females lay clutches of eggs in sandy or loose soil. Hatchlings emerge in late summer, already equipped with the skills to survive in their harsh desert surroundings. With excellent camouflage and the ability to scale rocks and trees with ease, the Great Basin Fence Lizard is well-adapted to its rugged Nevada home.
Fun Facts
OTHER Species
