Sceloporus cowlesi

Scientific name. Sceloporus cowlesi

Common Name. Southwestern Fence Lizard

General information. Sceloporus consobrinus is a diurnal lizard species that feeds on a variety of insects. It is terrestrial in open areas, utilizing mammal burrows for cover, but can be arboreal in wooded areas of its range.

Protected status. The Southwestern Fence Lizard is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Long tail, up to 1 1/2 times the head-body length There are no diagnostic characters to distinguish this species from Sceloporus consobrinus

Coloration. They typically have light (sometimes bold) longitudinal stripes running the length of their body, with a middorsal brown stripe, a bold dorsolateral stripes, and light lateral stripes. Can also have dark bars or spots across the lighter longitudinal stripes.

General distribution. In North America, Sceloporus cowlesi is found in the southwestern US states of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora.

Texas distribution. NA

Habitat. Habitats include sandy areas, open prairied, rocky slopes

Reproduction. Sceloporus consobrinus breeds in spring and summer. More mature females may lay 1–3 egg clutches per year, averaging 5–6 eggs per clutch.

Size. Sceloporus cowlesi reach body lengths up to 7.5 cm (3 in) and total lengths, including tail, of 9–17.5 cm (3.5–7 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.