They are grayish-brown with dark markings across the back and tail. This is a common forest-dwelling species that often lives around country homes and rock gardens. Their choice of split rail fences and stacks of firewood as places to live gave this species its name. They can escape capture by running up a tree. During the breeding season male fence lizards have an iridescent blue and black belly.
Fence lizards live in the southern half and into the northeast corner of Missouri.
An adult female northern fence lizard has distinct, thin bars across its back. Male fence lizards do not have these markings. Male northern fence lizard showing the blue color on the throat. This color is also found on the belly and is most prominent during the breeding season. All rights reserved.