Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus is more commonly known as
the Northern Fence Lizard. There are many related subspecies found
in a huge portion of the United States. They vary in color
depending upon their region. This particular subspecies is the one
you are most likely to see if you live in Missouri. Males typically
have bright bluish patches on the bellies and throats. In the case
of the subspecies hyacinthinus the males AND females have
the belly coloration, which tends towards a greenish-blue.
Additionally the females have a crossbar pattern on their back (the
above picture is a female).
They enjoy sunny locations, especially where there are rotting
logs, in woodlands and prairies. Fence Lizards, as their name
suggests, are rarely far from a tree or fence post to scurry up if
they feel threatened. They are diurnal and will eat almost any
insect, spider, snail or centipede. Unlike a lot of lizards, they
also seem to favor beetles.
If you happen to see a skink (or other lizard) while geocaching, it
is not recommended that you try to catch it. Many lizard
species can drop their tails when threatened. Although this is not
outright harmful, it certainly doesn't help them. Best to observe
them and leave them be. Picture below is a juvenile and it was at a
Boy Scout Ecology Lodge (thus it was already captive when the
picture was taken by me). Neither lizard pictured was in Cave
Hollow Park.
