9 replies to this topic

[Liam]

Laguna Beach



Mission San Juan



Quail Botanical Gardens

[JimBob]

Most of them look like Western Fence Lizards to me. . .

[Liam]

I don't think the last one is, but I could definitely see the rest as Western Fence Lizards. The species in that genus are so similar, though.

[JimBob]

I don't think the last one is

That's why I said most!

[TheGodComplex]

The last one is really bothering me.

The first one seems to be more like a Desert Spiny Lizard. The others look like Western Fence Lizards. But the last one.. not sure.

[Liam]

The last one is really bothering me.

The first one seems to be more like a Desert Spiny Lizard. The others look like Western Fence Lizards. But the last one.. not sure.

The last one may be a female/juvenile-type Desert Spiny.

I'm surprised Fisherman hasn't said anything yet.

[Liam]

Bump for Mike.

[Mike Mars]

Western Sceloporus can be tough. Range is definitely a good starting point. I'm comfortable calling 1-4 Great Basin Fence Lizards (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes). These would be the most common spiny in extreme southern California. As far as I know, desert spiny lizards do not reach orange county, and would be nowhere near Laguna Beach.

The last lizard threw me off a bit, but I am also going to call it a Great Basin. The only other Sceloporus in Orange County is the Granite Spiny Lizard and going by location (Quail Botanical Gardens) I believe I can rule them out.

So, all of these lizards are most likely Great Basin Fence Lizards. Sceloporus are a pain for herpetologists world wide.

[Mike Mars]

Update : I had several west coast colleagues confirm that these are all Great Basin Fence Lizards. Apparently the females show a lot of yellow, explaining that last photo.

[Liam]

Great to have them confidently identified! Thanks Mike and friends!