Sceloporus cowlesi Southwestern Fence Lizard
San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area, Cochise County, ArizonaMay 14, 2000
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
I had misclassified this lizard as a Clark's Spiny Lizard until I saw some more of these lizards in the same area four years later. After checking various references, I realized that this was the type now classified as Southwestern Fence Lizard. This is a recently-elevated species; formerly it would have been considered a subspecies of the Eastern Fence Lizard.
San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area, Cochise County, ArizonaAugust 7, 2004
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
Here's one of the same lizards that I saw in the same area four years later, but which I recognized instantly as not being a Clark's Spiny Lizard.
Valley of Fires State Park, Lincoln County, New MexicoMay 21, 2008
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi) Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
These lizards were very common around the Valley of Fires campground and on the lava flow as well. They are reported to have darker coloration in this lava flow area than in other habitats.
White Sands National Monument, Otero County, New MexicoMay 26, 2008
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
This species is sometimes listed along with Bleached Earless Lizards and Little White Whiptails as a third lizard that has adapted to the gypsum sands of White Sands National Monument by developing a significantly lighter pigmentation there than its closest relations do elsewhere. But the several individuals I saw at White Sands looked basically the same as ones I've seen elsewhere. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place.
City of Rocks State Park, Luna County, New MexicoMay 27, 2008
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
This one lived on the north side of our campsite, though he would make occasional daring raids on the territory of the larger one that lived on the south side.
City of Rocks State Park, Luna County, New MexicoMay 28, 2008
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
And here's the south side denizen, all puffed up in pride after having chased Mr. North Side away yet again.
near Silver City, Grant County, New MexicoMay 14, 2009
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
While out hiking with my wife and our dogs, I saw the form of this lizard on a rock in the distance. I snuck closer in the hope that it was a Crevice Spiny Lizard, but alas, it was just this more commonly-seen (at least by me) species. And to add insult to injury, it ran for cover before I could get a closer photo.
Davis Mountains State Park, Jeff Davis County, TexasApril 26, 2010
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi) Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
The Davis Mountains are home to many interesting herps, but on a cool spring morning all I saw were a couple of these common lizards.
Clayton Lake State Park, Union County, New MexicoApril 28, 2011
Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi)
Another interesting spot, another common lizard. Unsurprisingly, one sees a lot more common lizards than rare ones, as a rule.
Printed references: