Mountain Lizards

Can you #FindThatLizard

Last weekend, I went to Big Bear with some friends. Although it’s getting to the end of lizard season, I was hoping to get a few #FindThatLizard photos. I knew if nothing else, the western fence lizard Sceloporus occidentalis wouldn’t disappoint me.

In the cool mountain air, you’ll often see them warming themselves in the midday sun perched on logs, boulders, or fences. Their bodies may shift in tone (from lighter to darker) to regulate their temperature. Males sport vivid blue patches along their belly and throat, especially during the breeding season when they do “push-ups” to display for rivals or mates.

When lizard season finally comes to a close, and it gets too cold for lizards to be out, they’ll go to a shared hibernacula (place they’ll brumate) for the winter. The lizards will search for deep rock crevices, rodent burrows, under tree roots, or within piles of logs or debris as these microhabitats stay above freezing.

I hope you #FoundThatLizard! Let me know in the comments.