About Sceloporus tristichus Cope, 1875
Maximum Size
The plateau fence lizard (Sceloporus tristichus Cope, 1875) reaches a maximum snout-to-vent length of 80 millimetres (3.1 in).
Base Body Coloration
Its body coloration is grayish, brownish, or greenish.
Dorsal Scales and Markings
The upper surface of its body is covered in keeled scales, and a series of narrow dark brown cross-bands run along both sides of the body midline.
Ventral Patches
An elongated metallic blue patch is present on each side of the belly, and one on each side of the throat.
Sexual Size Dimorphism
Like many squamates, males of this species are typically smaller than females; for populations in Montezuma County, Colorado, males have an average snout-to-vent length of 63 mm (2.5 in) while females average 67 mm (2.6 in).
Geographic Distribution
This lizard is distributed across central Arizona, southwestern Utah, western Colorado, the San Luis Valley, and parts of New Mexico and Wyoming.
Habitat Preferences
It most commonly inhabits rocky and wooded areas, including canyon walls, boulder-strewn hillsides, fallen tree trunks, and other debris and vantage points.
Activity Patterns
The plateau fence lizard is inactive during cold periods and during the hottest part of the day in summer.
Diet Composition
Its diet consists mainly of insects, spiders, and other arthropods.
