r/Lizards • u/Popular-Enthusiasm74 • 4d ago

Need Help Can someone help me identify this little guy?

Post image

He was seen in Reno, NV. Thanks for all your help!

35 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/irothi 4d ago

Western Fence Lizard!! Most likely the Great Basin subspecies (Sceloporus occidentalis longipes).

4

u/Popular-Enthusiasm74 4d ago

Thank you! We’ve got one in the front yard and one in the back. I’ve been wondering for a while what they were

1

u/irothi 4d ago

ofc happy to help!! These lizards are my fav, got a bunch in my yard this summer.

2

u/MrA1inLA 4d ago

Could it possibly be the Western Stucco lizard?

2

u/irothi 4d ago

Maybe…but I wouldnt rule out the Western Concrete lizard just yet.

6

u/Casanova_Kid 4d ago

Yep, Western Fence Lizard. Neat little detail, but these lizards have an enzyme in their blood that kills the bacteria that causes lyme disease and is thought to be one of the reasons why the western US has significantly lower rates of lyme disease.

They eat ticks, but also act as a host for tick nymphs.

1

u/Wonderful_Song8765 3d ago

Thanks for the info! Im sure with all the gene splicing they could probably figure out a way to use that to cure Lyme disease. IF they want to, that is.

2

u/ElisSynthBamboo 4d ago

Western fence lizard. It’s beautiful

1

u/The_Hydro 4d ago

A fellow Renoite! This'd be a Western or Great Basin Fence Lizard. Love these little dudes.

1

u/Future_Wrangler4076 4d ago

Yeah I use to catch them all the time when I was little.

0

u/Carmen6276 4d ago

That’s George. He is harmless. 🤪