Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
Click here to visit Classifieds

Western Fence Lizard Compatible?

Paullywog Aug 09, 2004 05:50 PM

What would be some choices that western fence lizards can be kept with? Are any species ok with them? I have a whiptail which i was particularly curious about staying with a fence lizard. I really doubt it but if anyone could make up a small list or even 1 or 2 species that would be cool.

Replies (6)

Crotaphytuskidd Aug 11, 2004 05:00 PM

Hey man,
Most people will tell you that you should keep species seperate, so as not to over stress any one individual, but I understand the want for a display, so I think if your accommodations are big enough, say a 35 gallon or bigger, you could probably house a fence lizard with an Alligator lizard (Elgaria), a Western Skink (Eumeces skiltonianus), a Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus), even a Short-Horned lizard (Phrynosoma . I used to keep Green Anoles with them in my younger years. Keep in mind though, that size matters. A big lizard will try to eat a smaller one if it is hungry enough. Keep lizards together only from similar habitats, that have similar requirements (ie you can't keep a Desert Iguana and a Chameleon together), and of similar size. As for your Whiptail, I had a particularly huge Whiptail (18 " TL)that killed an adult male Fence Lizard, so learn from my mistake, I would avoid it if possible. If you're not sure, you could try it out, but be prepared to seperate them if problems should arise. Use your good judgement, and things will turn out fine. Hope this helps.

-Phil

Paullywog Aug 11, 2004 06:41 PM

Yep. Ive got the backup plan ready if things are rough. I just wonder if 29 gallon would be enough. I wont do anything with this idea until i get a response as to if that is big enough or not.....

Crotaphytuskidd Aug 12, 2004 11:28 AM

Hey man,
Yeah, I think a 29 gallon is big enough. I've got a one here at my place, nothing in it, but it would be big enough, if you were wise in how you used space. Good luck, and Tell me how it works out. Talk to you soon,

-Phil

Paullywog Aug 12, 2004 05:03 PM

I dont know now if it is 29 gallon... It is 30 inches long,about 10-12 inches deep and 10-12 inches wide(sorry i couldnt give exact measurements as im not really sure) and i could probably put some of those little cliff things on the glass.I just realized the size matter today and I dont want to overcrowd them by any means..Ok sorry for the long post but im also still researching western fence lizards before i get one and dont know what to do with it..How many crickets do they eat a day? And what is the right basking temperature? I have it at 98-103 degrees right now i think thats fine just checking the requirements first..

Thanks,
Paullywog

aliceinwl Aug 30, 2004 10:50 PM

Sounds like a 10 - 15 gallon tank. You could probably house 3 - 4 small lizards in it max.

The basking temperature sounds fine, just make sure that the cool side is in the 70s or low 80s. Put in a deep substrate that they can burrow into and some logs or rocks they can climb and hide under.

If you want multiple lizards / species in a tank that size it might be better to go with a smaller species of Sceloporus.

At the office I set up a 10 gallon tank and it comfortably houses 1 male and 2 female sagebrush lizards (Sceloporus graciosus)and 1 female Slevin's bunch grass lizard. The three sagebrushes who were supposed to be the sole occupants get along great and are out all morning and into the mid afternoon, but around 3 they usually bury themselves. The Slevin's came home with one of my co-workers after a trip to Arizona and was added to the tank. She hates everyone. So she comes out at 3 after the sagebrushes are in bed, that way she has the tank to herself.

I think with a tank that size you could house:
1 male, 1 female western fence lizards
or
1 male, 2 female sagebrush lizards
or
maybe a pair of sagebrush lizards and a pair of side blotch lizards.

Alligator lizards and skinks like it a bit cooler and moister than the Sceloporus, so unless your tank was at least double the size you indicated the odds are no one would be very happy if you tried to mix these guys with the Sceloporus.

Good luck,
Alice

Paullywog Sep 01, 2004 05:37 PM

Thank you! I will be getting a 27 gallon soon and i found out with a web site it is 20 gallon long. I will try probably with sagebrush lizzes or side blotched in the bigger tank. Thanks again!
-----
Paullywog

Site Tools