Eastern Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulatus (Bosc and Daudin in Sonnini and Latreille, 1801)    Synonyms: Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Chordata   >   Class Reptilia   >   Order Squamata   >   Family Phrynosomatidae   >   Genus Sceloporus   

Status:

Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) is the most eastern representative of the very speciose genus Sceloporus. This widespread reptile has been recorded throughout Maryland, except for Garrett Co., where suitable habitat exists. Eastern Fence Lizards are adept climbers, and often flee to the relative safety of tree trunks if startled. This lizard can usually be found in wooded or semiopen habitats, often foraging at ground level in litter or on dead wood or split rail fences (hence the common name) (Conant & Collins, 1998; Maryland DNR site). They can also sometimes occur in rockier habitats, like shale barrens or strip mines. The males have an interesting courtship display, performing pushups to display iridescent blue patches of scales. These undulating movements are probably the origin of the specific name undulatus.

There are 537 records in the project database.

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An Eastern Fence Lizard in Prince George's Co., Maryland (5/31/2021). (c) Scot Magnotta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Scot Magnotta via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/11/2015). Photo by Andy Connelly. (MBP list)

A male Eastern Fence Lizard in Caroline Co., Maryland (4/10/2017). Photo by Richard Orr. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Wicomico Co., Maryland (4/10/2005). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. Photo by Bill Hubick. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard found in Worcester Co., Maryland (4/22/2007). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Baltimore Co., Maryland (10/24/2014). Photo by Keith Eric Costley. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Worcester Co., Maryland (6/17/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Howard Co., Maryland (8/11/2012). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/18/2019). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/19/2015). Photo by Bonnie Ott. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (4/13/2013). Photo by Annette Allor. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (9/18/2016). Photo by Wendy Crowe. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6/4/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Wicomico Co., Maryland (6/3/2014). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Calvert Co., Maryland (5/4/2019). Photo by Ben Springer. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Montgomery Co., Maryland (5/12/2012). Photo by R. Child. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Baltimore Co., Maryland (9/7/2009). Photo by Mark Linardi. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (4/9/2012). Photo by Rod Burley. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (8/21/2020). (c) jrcagle, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by jrcagle via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/16/2020). (c) Ken Rosenthal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ken Rosenthal via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Charles Co., Maryland (3/31/2018). Photo by Frode Jacobsen. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Montgomery Co., Maryland (6/16/2020). (c) Ken Rosenthal, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Ken Rosenthal via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (3/26/2016). (c) Timothy Reichard, all rights reserved. Photo by Timothy Reichard. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Josh Emm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) Kyle Klotz, all rights reserved. Photo by Kyle Klotz. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Caroline Co., Maryland (3/7/2020). Photo by Jim Moore. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/12/2013). Photo by Mark Johnson. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (7/1/2013). Photo by Kimberly Booth. (MBP list)

An Eastern Fence Lizard in Wicomico Co., Maryland (4/25/2011). Photo by Lori Byrne. (MBP list)

A baby Eastern Fence Lizard in Wicomico Co., Maryland (8/27/2015). This juvenile fence lizard was not much longer than an inch. Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Allegany Co., Maryland (4/26/2021). (c) Erica, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by Erica via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Montgomery Co., Maryland (Date obscured). (c) jderby125, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). Photo by jderby125 via iNaturalist. (MBP list)

Eastern Fence Lizard in Calvert Co., Maryland (4/29/2017). Photo by John Hall. (MBP list)


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