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

“I see Western fence lizards all the time in my yard and they are everywhere — one of the most common animals you will see in California,” Pratt wrote in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

Common species such as the fence lizard could serve as a benchmark for scientists monitoring rarer or more elusive creatures.

From Los Angeles Times

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