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Western Fence Lizard

Sceloporus occidentalis

Description:

A small lizard basking on rocks in Western Nevada. Keeled, ridged, pointy scales. This one is most likely a male with faint blue markings on throat and belly, and is very darkly colored from basking on warm rocks.

Habitat:

Usually seen on fence posts, rocks, logs, piles of lumber, and sides of buildings in a wide variety of habitats throughout its range.

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2 Comments

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 11 years ago

Studies have shown that Lyme disease is lower in areas where the lizards occur. When ticks carrying Lyme disease feed on these lizards' blood (which they commonly do, especially around their ears), a protein in their blood kills the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The ticks' blood is therefore cleansed and no longer carries Lyme disease.

Hema  Shah
Hema Shah 11 years ago

cool.

NeilDazet
Spotted by
NeilDazet

Reno, Nevada, USA

Spotted on May 30, 2010
Submitted on May 2, 2012

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