Description: Small (total length: 8 - 15 cm [3 - 6 in.]) gray or brown lizards with rough scales, light longitudinal stripes, and a blue belly. This is one of several species of blue-belly lizards in southern Nevada. Males have a longitudinal patch of blue on each side of the belly and a small blue patch on each side of the throat. Females may be marked like males or they may lack the blue. Other species of lizards in southern Nevada (e.g., the Desert spiny lizard, Sceloporus magister) also have blue bellies and blue throat patches, but in this species, the blue on the throat forms two small, distinct patches rather than one large patch.
Diet: Feeds on insects and arthropods.
Habitat: Occurs in a variety of habitats, including pinyon-juniper woodlands and rocky hillsides to an elevation of 3,000 m (10,000 ft). Often seen along fences or on fence posts.
Range: The species occurs throughout the eastern and central U.S. from Pennsylvania and South Dakota southward into Mexico. This subspecies occurs south of the Colorado River in Arizona and New Mexico. In Clark County, Nevada, it occurs in the Virgin Mountains.
Comments: Also called the eastern fence lizard or simply the blue-bellies.