If you catch this lizard by the tail it can easily break off and will continue to wiggle in your hand while the tail-less animal gets away. This is a sacrificial defense mechanism that allows the lizard to elude capture. The tail will regenerate in time.
Breeding occurs in early spring. Six to ten eggs are laid in a shallow nest at the base of a clump of vegetation or a rotting log. Sawdust piles are favorite nesting sites. Eggs begin to hatch in early June and throughout the summer months into early fall.
The Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) is very similar in appearance to the southern fence lizard. However, it is distinguished from the fence lizard by its habitat and coloration. The scrub lizard is found only in scrub habitat. Young scrub lizards have two rows of thin zigzag bands on their back, and brown stripes running lateral along their bodies. Adult females retain the dorsal zigzag pattern, however, the dorsal pattern fades in the adult male and then only the lateral stripe is seen. In areas where both species occur they may hybridize, which complicates proper identification.