Home Range in the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis occidentalis)

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Abstract
Extent of home range in aggregations of S. o. occidentalis in optimal habitat was analyzed. Juveniles had the smallest home ranges, immatures the largest and adults were intermediate. Adult males had consistently larger home ranges than did adult females, but the differences were not significant. Adult males defended home range vigorously in the breeding season but were tolerant of other adult males after it had ended. Adult females did not defend home range. A number of 2-ranked hierarchies involving adult breeding males was found, with the subordinate residing within the home range of the dominant. Adult males did not expand their home ranges in the breeding season, primarily because of the patchy distribution of optimal habitat. Because defense of home range was confined to the spring-summer period of high testicular activity and the late summer-fall period of gonadal recrudescence, it seems likely that females were the primary resource being defended.