Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis              Phrynosomatidae

Distribution:  Western U.S.

Habitat: Grassland, broken chaparral, sagebrush, woodland, coniferous forest, and farmland, and occupies elevations from sea level to 10,800 ft. They generally avoid the harsh desert.

Appearance: 13-15cm (5-6 inches) They are brown to black in color (the brown may be sandy or greenish), but their most distinguishing characteristic is their bright blue belly, and the ventral side of the limbs are yellow. These lizards also have blue patches on their throats. This bright coloration is faint or absent in both females and juveniles. The scales of S. occidentalis are sharply keeled.

Diet: Fruits, leaves, buds and flowers.

Remarks: The presence of western fence lizards is thought to diminish the danger of transmission of Lyme disease by ticks. The incidence of Lyme disease is lower in areas where the lizards occur, and when ticks carrying Lyme disease feed on these lizards (which they commonly do, especially around their ears), the bacteria that cause the disease are killed

Green Basilisk Lizard

Basiliscus plumifrons     Corytophanidae

Distribution: Central and South America.

Habitat: Arboreal and semi-aquatic; inhabit the trees and bushes of the rainforest, often along riverbanks.

Appearance: Length, including tail, can be up to 85 cm.  Adult color is bright green, or slightly blue-green. Males have distinctive, high crests on their heads and backs, which they use to impress females. The females have only one small crest.

Diet: Omnivores, surviving on a diet of plant material, insects, fruit, and small vertebrates.

Remarks: Green basilisk lizard has been called the “Jesus Christ” lizard, because of its ability to walk on water. Their rear feet have long toes with fringes of skin that unfurl in the water, increasing surface area. They rapidly move their legs as they slap their splayed feet hard against the water. This creates tiny air pockets that keep them from sinking, provided they keep running fast enough. They can move more. When gravity eventually takes over, the basilisk is an excellent swimmer.             

Frilled Lizard

Chlamydosaurus kingie

Distribution: Northern Australia and Southern New Guinea.

Habitat: Tropical and warm temperate forests and savanna woodlands of northern Australia. They spend most of their lives in the trees,

Appearance: Length to 3 ft (0.9 m) and weight: to 1.1 lbs (0.5 kg). They have a thin fold of skin that usually hangs like a cape (frill) which when erect can be 12 inches (30 cm) across used to communicate with each other.

Diet: Mostly insects and some small mammals.

Remarks: Escapes to a tree for protection.