A Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) sunning itself on a rock and showing off its blue throat and belly in San Diego, California, USA.

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The Lyme disease tag is related to the fact that when ticks feed around the eyes of this lizard (which they frequently do) they consume a protein in the blood that kills the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. Lyme disease is demonstrably less common in areas with Western Fence Lizards.

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Size: 3448px × 2299px
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Photo credit: © Sean Bromilow / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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