It may come as a shock, but Ohio isn’t plentiful in lizards. The state only has five species to speak of—coming up short-handed when these subjects arise. But that is because most lizards require warmer temperatures, and many couldn’t handle Ohio’s cold winters. So, why did we release foreign lizards into the state, and what kinds can you expect in the woods? Let’s explore each of these lizards to learn all the details.
- Eastern Fence Lizard Image Credit: JamesDeMers, Pixabay
Scientific name sceloporus undulatus
Length 7 inches
Status Common
Living in the southern portions of Ohio, the eastern fence lizard is prevalent. They can dwell in a variety of habitats, but they enjoy rocky and dry areas most. These spiny lizards have rough scales and dull color. You can tell males and females apart upon inspection, unlike some other reptiles. Males have a blue band across their throat and sides of the belly.
- Common Wall Lizard Image Credit: Pixabay
Scientific name podorcis muralis
Length 8 inches
Status Invasive alien
The common wall lizard, or European wall lizard, isn’t a native species to Ohio. Specialists introduced this species to the state in 1951—and it has thrived ever since. You can still find it sparsely scattered through the wild. When it comes to what they call home, you can find these lizards on rocky terrain of all kinds. They can even endure frigid Ohio winters with finesse.
- Broadhead Skink
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A post shared by Jenny Hough (@parrotjen)
Scientific name Plestriodan laticeps
Length 12 inches
Status Uncommon
The broad-headed skink is a metallic bronze lizard that inhabits the lower half of Ohio. Interestingly, these crafty lizards can thrive in branches of trees—deeming them the most arboreal skink species. These guys do get quite large, reaching up to a foot in some cases. However, they tend to stay tucked out of sight, so you may never witness one in the wild.
See also: 7 Lizard Species Found In Georgia (With Pictures)
- Common Five-lined Skink
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A post shared by Jay Eubanks 🐍 (@green_snake_education)
Scientific name plestiodon fasciatus
Length 8 inches
Status Common
You can find the common five-lined skink in most counties of Ohio. These lizards have a unique defense mechanism when they are scared or frightened—they can snap off (and regrow) their tails. They can These skinks live in soft, moist areas, like under rotten logs and stumps. They might also seek refuge in barns or other manufactured structures.
- Little Brown Skink
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A post shared by Brad (@wild_melbourne_and_beyond)
Scientific name scincella lateralis
Length 5 inches
Status Uncommon
The shiny little brown skink is a tiny reptile that you might not run into in your lifetime. These guys are super rare, and they only encompass three southern Ohio counties total. If you’re in the woods, you can search for these critters by picking up fallen logs and large rocks. They like to stay in moist, dark out-of-sight locations. One remarkable fact about these lizards is that they can still see with their eyes shut. Conclusion These five lizard species differ in so many ways—it’s exciting to explore the different lizards that exist. While Ohio doesn’t have many lizards to speak of, these guys are still fun to learn about. If you’ve found one in your flowerbed, hopefully, we’ve helped you identify it appropriately. After all, it’s pretty simple to narrow it down so you can learn more about the creature you stumbled upon.
Featured Image Credit by Dwayne Towles, Shutterstock
It may come as a shock, but Ohio isn’t plentiful in lizards. The state only has five species to speak of—coming up short-handed when these subjects arise. But that is because most lizards require warmer temperatures, and many couldn’t handle Ohio’s cold winters.
So, why did we release foreign lizards into the state, and what kinds can you expect in the woods? Let’s explore each of these lizards to learn all the details.
1. Eastern Fence Lizard
Scientific name sceloporus undulatus
Length 7 inches
Status Common
Living in the southern portions of Ohio, the eastern fence lizard is prevalent. They can dwell in a variety of habitats, but they enjoy rocky and dry areas most.
These spiny lizards have rough scales and dull color. You can tell males and females apart upon inspection, unlike some other reptiles. Males have a blue band across their throat and sides of the belly.
2. Common Wall Lizard
Scientific name podorcis muralis
Length 8 inches
Status Invasive alien
The common wall lizard, or European wall lizard, isn’t a native species to Ohio. Specialists introduced this species to the state in 1951—and it has thrived ever since. You can still find it sparsely scattered through the wild.
When it comes to what they call home, you can find these lizards on rocky terrain of all kinds. They can even endure frigid Ohio winters with finesse.
3. Broadhead Skink
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jenny Hough (@parrotjen)
Scientific name Plestriodan laticeps
Length 12 inches
Status Uncommon
The broad-headed skink is a metallic bronze lizard that inhabits the lower half of Ohio. Interestingly, these crafty lizards can thrive in branches of trees—deeming them the most arboreal skink species.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jenny Hough (@parrotjen)
A post shared by Jenny Hough (@parrotjen)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
These guys do get quite large, reaching up to a foot in some cases. However, they tend to stay tucked out of sight, so you may never witness one in the wild.
- See also: 7 Lizard Species Found In Georgia (With Pictures)
4. Common Five-lined Skink
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jay Eubanks 🐍 (@green_snake_education)
Scientific name plestiodon fasciatus
Length 8 inches
Status Common
You can find the common five-lined skink in most counties of Ohio. These lizards have a unique defense mechanism when they are scared or frightened—they can snap off (and regrow) their tails. They can
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jay Eubanks 🐍 (@green_snake_education)
A post shared by Jay Eubanks 🐍 (@green_snake_education)
These skinks live in soft, moist areas, like under rotten logs and stumps. They might also seek refuge in barns or other manufactured structures.
5. Little Brown Skink
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Brad (@wild_melbourne_and_beyond)
Scientific name scincella lateralis
Length 5 inches
Status Uncommon
The shiny little brown skink is a tiny reptile that you might not run into in your lifetime. These guys are super rare, and they only encompass three southern Ohio counties total.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Brad (@wild_melbourne_and_beyond)
A post shared by Brad (@wild_melbourne_and_beyond)
If you’re in the woods, you can search for these critters by picking up fallen logs and large rocks. They like to stay in moist, dark out-of-sight locations. One remarkable fact about these lizards is that they can still see with their eyes shut.
Conclusion
These five lizard species differ in so many ways—it’s exciting to explore the different lizards that exist. While Ohio doesn’t have many lizards to speak of, these guys are still fun to learn about.
If you’ve found one in your flowerbed, hopefully, we’ve helped you identify it appropriately. After all, it’s pretty simple to narrow it down so you can learn more about the creature you stumbled upon.
Featured Image Credit by Dwayne Towles, Shutterstock
