Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question about fence lizard head bobbing. I have frequently seen my lizards do their territorial "push ups", but my male lizard also does a very rapid head bobbing movement, especially when he goes after my female. He has also nipped her on her hind leg. Does anyone know if this is territorial as well or if this is more along the lines of a mating ritual? My female hasn't responded much either way but she's gravid and so I assume uninterested in mating. Any ideas/info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Sarah

Hi sarah,

I think you're right about the rapid head-bob chase female thing. I had pairs of Desert Spiny lizard, Desert Iguana, Collared Lizard, and Side-Blotched lizard (not all together, of course) and the males would perform a very rapid head-bob before nipping the female, or attempting to mate. When male lizards mate, they often bite the female on the nape of the neck as a means of leveredge, until the business is done. In courtship, males sometimes bite the females in odd places to ensure breeding readiness. This can be very stressful to the female, so it might do her some good to spend a few days in a different cage, until she lays her eggs. I would think that it is not territoriality simply because territorialty in Spinys tends to include a gaping mouth, and a puffed-up body. Just my thoughts though. I hope you have good luck with your Fences.
BTW, what kind are they?

-Phil

Well I have a pair of Texas Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus Olivaceus) and a pair of pink Bellied swifts (sceloporus variabilis). This will be the second summer that I've had my female spiny. Last summer she laid two clutches but neither one was fertile. This summer I have a male but he was put in with her too late. I am hoping my pink bellieds will mate but I only got them a month ago. They were pretty thin but have started to fill out -- I just don't know if they've mated. Plus, she'll only lay 1-2 eggs as opposed to the spiny that laid 18 the first time and 13 the second.

Sarah