Fence Lizards Are The Best!

[@whyguy006]

Its nice to know im not the only person who is very fond of these. With proper husbandry and housing they adapt very well to captivity but i wouldnt recommend them to beginners. They are very high maintenance. In 1990 in put one male and two females in a 6ft glass vivarium and got to watch their antics right in my own living room. They did very well for more than 6 years and even bred and laid eggs which all hatched successfully and were released back into the wild. Eventually my source of food for them was no longer available so i returned them to the wild. It was a great experience. I adore them and to this day i sometimes take a trip to the Columbia River Gorge about 40 miles east of Vancouver Washington to watch them and also to photograph California Mountain King snakes

[@scaleonkhan183]

Fence Lizards are so underrated!!

[@wookieboss2643]

Always love the videos 👍 thanks

[@chrisegnoto]

Glad you like them, thank you so much :)

[@seanandre884]

Why is this channel so underrated? This channel deserves to have a million subs.

[@TheWildReportOfficial]

This was such a well put together video! The b-roll of the lizards was incredibly cinematic and the presentation is absolutely on-point. Love the little guy at 1:19 that just wanted a free ride on your backpack xD

[@chrisegnoto]

Thank you so much, means a lot! I actually somehow forgot to use 2 clips I was looking forward to sharing in it, go figure :/ That Fencie on my pack literally stayed on or "under" the cap of it, all day! I carefully wore it around my campsite and it stayed. After midnight, it walked up my tent and stayed there until around 2am. I got in my tent around 4am and as I was sitting in my tent, I noticed it sitting IN THE HAMMOCK in the cieling of my tent where you put your light or shirt etc. Lil Lizzie spent the night with me, lol! Thanks so much for writing :)

[@TheWildReportOfficial]

@@chrisegnoto No problem! And oof, I've done that before with A-roll footage in a water snake video and it was so sad. Haha I wish I could say I've had a sleepover with a lizard.

[@smetlogik]

Scelops are the main diet for the rock rattlesnakes here in AZ. Wild to come across a rock rattlesnake sitting at the base of a tree with its body partially up the trunk, waiting for a lizard to come on by.

[@chrisegnoto]

That's neat. I dreamt I finally found an awesome Rattler. Camera wouldn't work :/

[@chrisegnoto]

Pretty cool that that species will wait in that position

[@smetlogik]

@@chrisegnoto i've had those dreams in real life.

[@Bitholeous]

so cool! it's very neat learning about the pheromones

[@DesertNebula]

Haha his push-ups were totally on point! Neat little video! Are those similar to desert lizards? I've been seeing pretty brown and blue ones🦎

[@chrisegnoto]

I think so, I mean, I think there are some Sceloporus varieties out there. The ones you describe sound pretty cool.

[@joshturner253]

Awesome video! I'm so glad I found your channel a few weeks ago, I was looking for spring peeper videos

[@chrisegnoto]

Well thank you so very much, Josh! I really hope you find some favorites among my channel. Did you see my American Toad or Spider Curse of the Banded ARgiope videos, yet? I really liked those two!

[@joshturner253]

@@chrisegnoto I've seen the american toads video and really like it, I'll watch the spider curse next

[@TheWildlifeBrothers]

The Eastern Fence Lizard is one of those funny species that always seems to evade us, we have tried for years but never seen one in the wild. I’m sure that will change when we get to the barrens, but until then this video is a great way to learn more about them! You got some amazing shots, I know how fast they are so getting steady shots is not easy. Nice job Chris! - Harrison and Evan

[@chrisegnoto]

Wow, I can't wait to show you the Fencies! We will find some, I am sure. Thanks for complimenting my shots! I love sharing the natural world with people! I had a great shot of their blue coloration and completely forgot to include it in the video :/

[@lifeunderfoot4805]

Great video about one of my favorite lizards - love those spiny scales!

[@chrisegnoto]

Thank you :) I can't say that spending a day with these animals was not worth every minute! I love the scales, too. Especially on bright, sunny mornings!

[@sapelesteve]

Interesting video Chris! Gotta love Lizards! I was wondering why they are known as "fence" Lizards? Anyway, hope that you are doing well. Sending this to Carl for viewing! 👍👍😉😉🦎🦎

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks, Man! I liked making this video. For loving fences, I sure find them on a lot of tree, lol. I have just started one of Carl's books. I think he and I would have a great time out there! Again, thank you!

[@СпасЯнков-э2ч]

Nice video as always cool lizards

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks!

[@dhgodzilla1]

I wish we had them in Northern Mi. We only have Skinks, supposedly we have a Species of Legless Lizard but I have never found one but I know they would usually be in the dirt, not prowling on the surface.

[@scubadiverderek9776]

Great video! Fence lizards are very cool lizards but my state is unfortunately outside of the range of fence lizards. But I will definitely look for them once I am in their range.

[@chrisegnoto]

Sorry to hear that. Do you have any other lizard species? I know there can be small population of skinks and whatnot, that aren't recorded in any guides.

[@scubadiverderek9776]

We do have a couple lizard species in my state, like the common five lined skink. According to one source, those are found in my county, and according to another source, it isn't found in my county. I'm not trying to complain, but it feels like any reptiles are rare in my county. Like there are species here but they are just difficult to come across. Either they are just rare here or I have bad luck, lol. But anyways, thanks for your reply!

[@tacocin]

Tons of these magnificent little creatures in the Carolinas. We have a large female living under our deck out back. She keeps popping out year after year. I see tiny babies periodically but they disappear pretty fast. Only saw a male one time. And then there was the copperhead in our pool -- but that's another story.

[@chrisegnoto]

The Carolinas are amazing for wildlife! I found so many different species of everything when I camped there. Loved it! Those babies are fast and also blend in to their surrounding so well. I would be so excited to find a Copperhead in my own yard, although I would be nervous for my lil dog :/

[@yarygork2334]

This may sound crazy but its 100% true! If you approach them slowly, calmly, and talk quietly to them while looking them in the eye....you may be shocked to see them let you pick them up. I've done this 4 times with four different ones, One was tiny (about 1 inch including tail) yes I have pics....another one was on my back for an hour and did NOT want to let go as I tried to put him back on his log later. I had to really shake my hand as he dug in his tiny claws. It was sooo funny. Once on my hand they then scramble up my arm and on my back and its very tough later to get them off your hand. They LIKE being held when its cool outside. When its hot they usually just scramble. I've seen them mate also. The females play hard to get and act coy. I LOVE these little guys. They have excellent hearing and one heard me watering and popped up from behind an Oak log to see what the noise was.

[@chrisegnoto]

Those are some really great observations and points. Thank you for that! They do seem to like sitting on our backs or shoulders, don't they? Gotta love the Fencies!

[@EarthWarZone]

I would think the slow moving part would trigger their instinct to bolt because predators usually move slowly like that to catch their prey.

[@LayneWilson]

Fence lizards are cool. We have a lot of blue belly lizards around us. They drop their tails easily if they feel threatened. Ive seen it save more then a few live when escaping cats, snakes and birds. It always stumps the predators. When a twitching tail is left behind. Great video thanks for sharing!

[@chrisegnoto]

Blue bellies? Cool. It's pretty cool to have lizards around your house.

[@Sawlon]

Wish we had them by me in Western Michigan.

[@chrisegnoto]

I just looked up Michegan and found that there can be several species of Skinks and Racerunners out there. A fair amount of salamander species, also. Sounds kind of fun if you can get to any of the habitats they belong to. Good luck!

[@dfwmonkie]

good stuff Chris

[@chrisegnoto]

Thanks

[@krusader9508]

I have a pet eastern fence lizard. Neat little critter

[@catspaw3815]

wow, i didn't even know they had lizards as far north as NJ. can't say i've ever seen one in CT though. thanks, Chris

[@thomaszaccone3960]

I had Sceloporus cyanogenys when I was younger. They really liked to be on a vertical position. If I put one on my shoulder it would run up and down my body from the top of my head to my legs and back again. It would avoid going down to the ground. Cyanogenys has a lot of blue in it. Really beautiful. There is another species with a reddish tone but I don't recall the species name ( poinsettii ?). Don't know why they aren't more popular as pets and commercially bred. A guy named Carl Kauffield ( spelling ?) former curator of the Staten Island Zoo, wrote an interesting book on Pine Barrens Reptiles. I think there is still a colony of Timber Rattlesnakes down there near Tabernacle or Mt. Misery. REALLY fascinating place. After I got married my visits to the woods stopped. :(. You are a very interesting guy Chris. Remind me of myself when I was younger.

[@chrisegnoto]

That sounds like a beautiful lizard species. Also, sounds like a lot of fun. When I was filming that orangy looking one, the other males run running up my back and sitting on my shoulders, lol. I would love to find that book that you are talking about. I have a couple cool Pine Barrens guides, but they are in storage...underneath about 200 pounds worth of other stuff :/ I wanted to re-order one of them, but it is pricey, now.

[@Ricca_Day]

Gorgeous! They look like baby Pongos!.. sorta. I don't think we have these in the Deep South..🤷‍♀️ Good to see you out enjoying the Spring!🦎💚🍃Blessings!🌻

[@chrisegnoto]

They do look like that. I think they are not far from your area. Almost every region has them. SouthEast?

[@Ricca_Day]

Nature Now! - Chris Egnoto Yep.. Central Alabama and Florida my whole life. I had a female Pongo for several years before she passed away. She was a wonderful teacher of human nature in many ways. She was completely surprising in many ways, and I'm officially a herpaphile after that. Man, I miss her. Thanks for sharing with us out here! Much Love.

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

Awesome. They are on my bucket list to find out herping.

[@chrisegnoto]

Very cool, where do you live?

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

@@chrisegnoto In the Philly area. I’ve seen a four lined skink before at Elk Neck state park in Maryland before, but no other northeast lizard species outside of that.

[@looloorex]

is it "fence" or "fance"? Fascinating either way though!! WOW

[@chrisegnoto]

They are called Fence lizards, because they like to rest on fence posts......and tree trunks.

[@looloorex]

@@chrisegnoto oh so "fance" is a typo? lol Thank you.

[@chrisegnoto]

OMG, I didn't even realize I did that...thank you!

[@looloorex]

@@chrisegnoto LOL sorry to be a grammar geek, but...no problem ;-)

[@Jakecaseyy]

Just saw one in my yard they are cool !

[@SIyMarbo]

they are the best reminds me of mini black throat monitors

[@chrisegnoto]

I can see what you mean, there. These are pretty much the largest species of lizard in my area.

[@amyesworldcatherinesminime7945]

Lovely little dragons.

[@Beeontree]

They are so easy to catch, idk how they survive

[@thedeadfisher]

Unfortunately the only lizard we have here in Ontario is the five lined skink, located in a small territory in the Parry Sound area, north of Georgian Bay. How I'd love to have those active comedians in my backyard.

[@chrisegnoto]

What a cool species to have, though. The immature Five lined's have those amazing neon blue tails. I lived in Ontario for about 7 years when I was a kid :)

[@mikecook4298]

love those little guys ... tried to keep two as pets , but when they didnt eat anything for three days that i presented to them , i got scared and let them go ... i loved them so much i wanted to keep them but to have them die on me was too much , so i reluctantly put them at the edge of the woods and watched them scurry off

[@eminemilly]

When we first got our nw fence lizard we could only get her to eat jumping spiders which were all over dr the grass in the backyard. No beetles or isopods but eventually roaches crickets and tiny mealworms. I love jumping spiders but my lizard was picky and hungry lol

[@jackwood8307]

👍

[@noahf.1127]

Lizards are my favorite reptiles, but they don’t live in Massachusetts. You can subscribe to my channel called Crawling Creatures.

[@davidkatz1829]

We fed them meal worms in our back and eventually they will come up to your hand to feed.

[@sreykounkoy7443]

hi

[@ANTOINETTE-nk1tm]

CHRIS, HI. WHERE EXACTLY DID YOU SPOT THESE EASTERN FENCE LIZARDS ??? WAS IT IN WHARTON STATE FOREST IN NEW JERSEY ??? WARREN DELAWARE OR MARYLAND OR VIRGINIA ??? PLEASE LET ME KNOW. WHY ? BECAUSE, I LIVE IN NORTH JERSEY, WHAT NEXT SPRING I'M PLAYING IN THE EXPEDITION DOWN TO THE WHARTON STATE FOREST, I WANT TO SEE THE EASTERN FRENCH LIZARD IN THE WILD. IT WILL BE MY FIRST TIME OBSERVING THEM IN THE WILD IF I FIND ONE OR TWO. I KNOW THEY'RE DOWN IN THAT REGION BECAUSE FRIENDS OF MINE HAVE TAKEN PHOTOGRAPHS OF THEM AND THAT REGION.

[@chrisegnoto]

Hi. Yes for sure. Wharton has them in abundance. Keep ears open for their scurrying and keep in mind they might hide on opposite side of trees and logs, etc