Prairie Lizard

Family: 
Phrynosomatidae (fence and horned lizards) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description: 

They are grayish-brown with dark markings across the back and tail. They can escape capture by running up a tree. During the breeding season male fence lizards have an iridescent blue and black belly.

Size: 
Average total length is 5 inches.
Habitat and conservation: 
This is a common forest-dwelling species that often lives around country homes and rock gardens, split rail fences and stacks of firewood.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Prairie lizards live in the southern half and into the northeast corner of Missouri; absent from the northwestern portion.
Status: 
Common. This Missouri lizard used to be considered the "northern fence lizard" (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus), a subspecies of eastern fence lizard, but biologists have revised its taxonomy. Now, it's considered a distinct species.