The article celebrates the fence lizard, or sceloporus occidentalis, recognized as the most frequently spotted reptile in the United States, particularly in California. As urban development encroaches upon their habitats, these lizards have adapted remarkably. Despite their seemingly mundane appearance, they bring a sense of wonder to observers. With the onset of the City Nature Challenge, the piece highlights efforts to document urban wildlife, mentioning platforms like iNaturalist where enthusiasts like Jim Maughn share observations of these reptiles, emphasizing their pervasive presence in everyday life.
Before the fence, there was the lizard. From tree stumps and rocks, the spiny reptiles basked and watched as wooden fences subdivided the landscape. At some point, one climbed a post and became known to us ever onward as the fence lizard.
'Because they're so common, people assume they're quite boring,' said Breanna Putman, an ecologist at Cal State San Bernardino. Yet, something magical happens when you spot one. It's both an ordinary occurrence and an event.
One of the largest platforms for sharing observations of animals and plants is iNaturalist. Think of it as the social network for nature nerds.
Maughn, an English professor from Santa Cruz, began using the app over a decade ago when he started taking daily five-mile walks. Inevitably, a fence lizard is waiting for him.
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