Southwestern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus cowlesi
Silhouette: SeismicShrimp · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyPhrynosomatidae (Phrynosomatid Lizards)
- GenusSceloporus (Spiny Lizards)
- SpeciesSceloporus cowlesi (Southwestern Fence Lizard)
About the Southwestern Fence Lizard
The southwestern fence lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi), also known as Cowles' prairie lizard, the White Sands prairie lizard or the White Sands swift, is species of spiny lizard in the family Iguanidae. The species is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of the south-western United States and north-central Mexico. Originally described in 1956 as Sceloporus undulatus cowlesi, a subspecies of the eastern fence lizard, subsequent DNA studies elevated the southwestern fence lizard to species status.
The following cladogram is based on Leaché and Reeder, 2002, and shows the relationship of Sceloporus cowlesi to other species in the "Sceloporus undulatus group". The specific name, cowlesi, is in honor of American herpetologist Raymond Bridgman Cowles. Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Southwestern Fence Lizard in Big Bend National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Southwestern Fence Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Southwestern Fence Lizard sighting in Big Bend National Park, based on 83 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Southwestern Fence Lizard in Big Bend National Park?
September has the highest sighting rate for Southwestern Fence Lizard in Big Bend National Park in our monthly data.