Western Fence Lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis, can be found basically anywhere in the western states from Utah to California and Mexico in grasslands and forests. They can grow up to 8.5 inches long and have scales that can be brown, grey, or tan with blotchy patches of colors throughout. Most have a yellow or white undersides except males, which typically have blue coloration on their undersides. Their diet consists of insects and bugs, ranging from ants to caterpillars. These lizards have an interesting characteristic, a protein in their blood that is able to kill the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, the most widespread disease carried by ticks in the northern hemisphere. When a tick, usually a Western black legged tick, starts to drink the lizard's blood, the protein kills the bacteria, and as a result, the tick stops carrying the disease. These lizards are extremely important in keeping the disease in check, especially in California.

Written by Nireesa Rajan