The Lizards of North Carolina encompass a rich tapestry of reptilian diversity within the country ’s varied landscape . From the towering crest of the Appalachian Mountains to the coastal plains and marshes , North Carolina provide home ground for a diverse array of lounge lizard species . Among them , the Eastern Fence Lizard , Green Anole , and Five - run along Skink are commonly encountered in woodland , grasslands , and urban country alike .
The following clause will compile the 15 most common lizardspecies that can be found in North Carolinaand how to identify them .
Common Lizards of North Carolina
Eastern Glass Lizard
The Eastern Glass Lizard ( Ophisaurus ventralis ) is a legless lizardnative to the southeastern United States . adult can reach up to 43 inch ( 100 atomic number 96 ) in length , featuring distinctive blanched grading on the neck . Juveniles are typically khaki - colourise with two dark stripes . Despite their snake - like appearance , these lizards are harmless and are distinguished by their ability to detach their tails to head for the hills predator .
They mainly inhabit grassy or sandy area and provender on insects , spiders , and modest vertebrate . Their unique appearance and behavior make them a fascinating field of study for both herpetologists and nature enthusiasts .
Mimic Glass Lizard
The Mimic glass lounge lizard ( Ophisaurus mimicus ) , also known as the rainbow glass lizard , is the smallest among the glass lizards , reach up to 25 inches ( 65 cm ) in length . Typically tan or brown , they feature ablack or dark-skinned brown mid - dorsal stripeand up to four additional dark stripes with spots . Males are generally larger than female .
aboriginal to the southeasterly coastal plains , true pine woods , and open woodlands , these legless lizard are often false forsnakes . Their unequaled appearance and habitat preferences make them an intriguing metal money for herpetologists and nature lover likewise .
Slender Glass Lizard
The Slender Glass Lizard ( Ophisaurus attenuatus ) is a legless lizard native to the United States , capable of autotomy , or give chase detachment , as a Department of Defense chemical mechanism . farm up to 26 inches , they inhabit woodlands and juiceless , jolty hills , often camouflaging in magniloquent grass . Their diet include insects andsmaller lizards .
Characterized by their brown and sensationalistic coloration with six banding , they are swift movers , aiding in their escape from predators . This species ’ unique adjustment and habitat make it a fascinating discipline for study and observance .
Little Brown Skink
The small brown scincid lizard ( Scincella lateralis ) , also recognise as the ground skink , is a small lizard aboriginal to northerly Mexico and the eastern United States . These bantam reptiles can grow up to 5.5 inch ( 14.5 cm ) , include their tails . They are characterized by their pig brown coloration and awhite or yellowish stomach .
With curt legs and an elongated soundbox , they are well - adjust to their habitats , which pasture from foliage litter in forests to grassy areas . Their small size of it and subtle coloration help them blend into their surroundings , provide effective camouflage from predators .
Broad-Headed Skink
The Broad - headed skink ( Plestiodon laticeps ) , also have it away as the broadhead scincid lizard , is one of the larger scincid , growing up to 13 in ( 33 cm ) in duration . They are name by their wide jaws , yield their head a triangular appearance . Adult males are typically olive brown or brown , with orange head during the mating season , while females have five clear stripes down their spinal column . Juveniles are moody brown with strike blue tails .
Native to the United States , these skinks are often set up in urban areas and are known to try shelter in tree , making them a common visual sense in both natural and suburban environments .
Southeastern Five-Lined Skink
The southeast five - lined scincid lizard ( Plestiodon inexpectatus ) is a spectacular lounge lizard sleep with for its five stripes along its body , which lighten up as it ages . The middle streak is notably narrow than the others . Juveniles feature a bright blue posterior and red - tinted stripes near the fountainhead . These scincid are earth habitant , typically found in wooded orbit , where they primarily eat on insects .
Their vivacious colouration in youth and distinct striping make them easily recognizable , while their adaptability allows them to thrive in a variety of forested home ground across their range .
Five-Lined Skink
The Five - lined skink ( Plestiodon fasciatus ) , also known as the American five - trace skink , is a vernacular lounge lizard native to North America , witness throughout the United States and parts of Canada . These medium - sized lizards grow up to 8.5 column inch ( 21.5 centimeter ) . Juveniles are coloured browned toblack with five distinct yellowed or white stripesand a bright blue tail , which pass with age .
They inhabit moist and wooded area and are roll in the hay to hide inside building wall . Interestingly , the five - line scincid is among approximately 16 lounge lizard metal money in the US with a gloomy tail , showcasing a rough-cut adaptative trait in lizard evolution .
Coal Skink
The Coal skink ( Plestiodon anthracinus ) is a North American lounge lizard hand up to 7.1 in ( 18 atomic number 96 ) in length . Characterized by light banding die hard down to the after part , it has a broad dark stripe and miss light lines on top of its head . During pairing season , males developred side on their head . Juveniles sport blue tails , with northerly coal skink child mirroring adult divest , while southern juveniles are black with faint stripes .
These scincid prefer rocky outcrop , hillside , and sometimes blot out in shallow water , pretend their habitats diverse and interesting .
Six-Lined Racerunner
The Six - lined racerunner ( Aspidoscelis sexlineatus ) is a lizard aboriginal to the United States and Mexico . Thisspecies is dark green , brown , or black , with six yellow or immature - chickenhearted grade insignia running from chief to track . Females have a whitened undersurface , while male sport a paleblue belly and a distinctive greenthroat . Notably , their behind is twice the length of their slender body .
Known for their speeding , these lizards can reach up to 18 miles per hour ( 29 kilometre per hour ) to escape threat . They dwell woodlands , grasslands , rocky outcrops , and floodplains , make them adaptable to various environment .
Eastern Fence Lizard
The Eastern fence lounge lizard ( Sceloporus undulatus ) , also known as the prairie lizard or grey lizard , is a average - sized reptile commonly found in stone piles , molder log , and forest edges across the United States . Growing up to 7.5 inch ( 19 centimeters ) in distance , they are typically gray or dark-brown with a sullen line along the back of the second joint .
female person display dark wavelike lines on their backs , while males may seem more green or blue than brownish during the summer months . Their widespread distribution spans from New York to the Carolinas and from Southern Indiana to Kentucky , pretend them a familiar sight in various home ground .
Texas Horned Lizard
The Texas horned lizard ( Phrynosoma cornutum ) is among North America ’s fourteen spiky - bodied reptilian , live as tusk lizards . ramble fromNorth Mexico to Carolina , these lizards are often believed to be escaped or free darling . They possess rounded bodies , blunt neb , and a distinctive horn , an extension of the brainpan . With intermediate size of around 3.7 column inch for males and 4.5 inches for females , they are widely pass out .
Despite their fierce appearance , Texas horned lizards are docile creatures . As good digger , they quickly try refuge underground when threatened , showcasing their remarkable survival inherent aptitude in the face of peril .
Green Anole
The Green anole ( Anolis carolinensis ) , also screw as the Carolina anole , is native to the southeast United States but has been introduce elsewhere . Females typically have awhite dorsal stripe . Their coloration ranges from browned to green , with the power to alter based on emphasis , activity levels , and climate . This adaptablelizard is better known for its greenhue , hence the common name “ unripe Anolis carolinensis .
With various aliases like Carolina green American chameleon and American chamaeleon , it showcases its far-flung presence and challenging ability to blend into its surroundings , making it a entrancing bailiwick for reptile enthusiasts and observers alike .
Mediterranean House Gecko
The Mediterranean house gecko ( Hemidactylus turcicus ) , also known as the Turkish gecko , is a widespread metal money discover globally . These nocturnal animal reach lengths of up to 5.9 inches ( 15 cm ) and are characterized by sleepless eyes and tan skin adorned withblack spots . Their bottom expose classifiable stripe , and their bellies are translucent .
Often solitary or found in lowly group of up to five , these geckos are normally spotted around human domicile , where they hunt insects draw in to Light Within . Their adaptability and unobtrusive comportment make them a familiar sight in urban and suburban surroundings worldwide .
