Eastern Fence Lizard
Fence lizards are spiny lizards, meaning they have rough, pointed scales on their backs.
They spend most of their days basking on fence posts, trees, stumps, and rocks, and they crawl into rock crevices or go underground at night.
Snakes, birds, cats, and other reptiles are predators of fence lizards. The fence lizard makes its escape by running up tree trunks and pausing on the opposite side to avoid being seen. If its pursuer circles around, the fence lizard will continue to spiral up the tree trunk until it ascends out of reach.
Fence lizards usually forage twice a day. Prey includes a number of invertebrates such as beetles, ants, moths, grasshoppers, spiders, and stink bugs.
They have also been observed doing push-ups and head-bobs to deter other males from infiltrating their territories. This behavior is correlated with the availability of food in the area.
Male and female fence lizards mate from April to August.