Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

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jamezevanz
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Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by jamezevanz »

Between the field guides I have on hand and the California Herps website, I just can't convince myself whether this is graciosus vandenburgianus or occidentalis. If it's the former, it's a lifer. If it's the latter, it's the millionth I've seen this month. Can anyone with an eye for Sceloporus swing me in one direction or the other so I can make an accurate database entry? It was found around 5,000 feet in San Diego county in pine forest with granite outcrops. Thanks in advance.

Jamez

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RobertH
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by RobertH »

I am not positive, but based upon this difference:

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/ ... hscomp.jpg

(yellow color on rear thighs)

I'd say it's a Sagebrush.

But maybe the picture is just not showing the yellow color.

Hopefully, someone more authoritative can give you a final answer.

Robert
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klawnskale
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by klawnskale »

Too bad you don't have a lateral shot of the lizard. According to CalHerps, sagebrush lizards have an orange area from the back of the neck to behind the front legs. Check out the photos of them at the site.
Was there any orange on the frontal area of the lizard? Also, sagebrush is the nominate between the two species.
hellihooks
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by hellihooks »

I'd say sagebrush... :thumb: jim
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occidentalis
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by occidentalis »

i'd guess fence lizard...
hellihooks
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by hellihooks »

Tough call. from the top... fence. white legs... sage. some sagebrush I see look like small fence... others could almost pass for SB's. Are both at the spot? (fence/sage) I think you need to look at more of them, from the same spot. Most sagebrushes I've seen have some orange, specially in spring. jim
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FunkyRes
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by FunkyRes »

Hard one - the scales look too keeled to be sagebrush but the rear legs sure look sagebrush. I'm gonna guess sagebrush. What was the elevation?
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FunkyRes
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by FunkyRes »

I've never found a specimen I thought was a hybrid, but I wonder how often if ever the two do hybridize where both are found. My guess is F1 is all there would ever be if any.
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mattg
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by mattg »

sagebrush
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jamezevanz
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by jamezevanz »

It was found around 5000 feet and I believe they are both supposed to be present in those mountains. I've seen a number of sceloporus skittering around on rocks in the area but this was the first I have been able to get my hands on. I couldn't remember what characteristics distinguished the two or I would have taken better vouchers, I really wasn't expecting it to be this much trouble to figure out. In any case, crowd sourcing an identification seems to be working. Looks like things are leaning toward Sagebrush.
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Fieldnotes
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by Fieldnotes »

mattg wrote:sagebrush


:thumb:
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FunkyRes
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by FunkyRes »

5000 feet solidifies sagebrush, in my mind anyway.

Sure, fence are found that high and even higher, but I've found as I get that high - sagebrush quickly become more numerous. For me it seems to be somewhere around 3,000 feet where fence becomes scarce and sagebrush becomes common.
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jamezevanz
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by jamezevanz »

Now entered in HERP as a Sagebrush Lizard by popular opinion.
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Fieldnotes
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Re: Sagebrush Lizard or Western Fence?

Post by Fieldnotes »

Good call, cause it is a Sagebrush Lizard. There is no yellow on the thighs of that male lizard, the belly patches are edge with black and it has a large interparietal scale aka a football helmet scale. congrats on your lifer.
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