fence lizard

noun

1. either of two spiny lizards, Sceloporus undulatus and S. occidentalis, of the U.S. and northern Mexico, often seen on fences.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fence lizard¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

In Los Angeles County, it was the Western fence lizard, followed by the western honey bee.

From New York Times

Much of the initial work by project scientists focused on common species such as fence lizards and live oaks that manage to prosper in regions slammed by the ugliest weather California has to offer.

From Los Angeles Times

But though some of them had received enough venom to kill five mice, alligator lizards and fence lizards showed no change at all.

From New York Times

In the yard of my rental, I have built multiple garden boxes, seeded them with native flora and scattered log piles among them for the fence lizards and wrens.

From Scientific American

I saw great numbers of lizards here — alligator lizards and a couple Western fence lizards — plus a few rabbits and several nests of harvester ants.

From Los Angeles Times