Lizards in Indiana: A Guide to the Species You Might Encounter

As a resident of Indiana, you may occasionally come across different lizard species while spending time outdoors. Indiana is home to six native lizard species that inhabit various regions and ecosystems across the state. In this article, we’ll explore the key characteristics, behavior, habitat, and distribution of the most common lizard species found in the Hoosier State.

1. Common Five-lined Skink

The common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is one of the most frequently spotted lizards in Indiana. As their name suggests, these lizards have five distinctive white or yellow stripes running down their backs, with two stripes on each side and one stripe down the center.

Adults tend to be brown, black, or gray in color. Males often develop reddish heads as they mature. Juveniles have bright blue tails that fade as they grow. On average, these skinks reach lengths of 8-9 inches.

Five-lined skinks thrive in forested areas with plenty of logs, stumps, and leaf litter to hide under. They are skilled climbers and can often be observed on tree trunks and branches. When threatened, they will flee to the nearest crevice or burrow. They are able to detach their tails if captured, allowing them to escape predation.

These lizards can be found throughout most of Indiana, with highest densities occurring in the southern and central regions They are active from April through October.

2. Six-lined Racerunner

The six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) is named for the six distinctive yellowish-white stripes running the length of its body. They are long, slender lizards that can reach up to 10 inches in length.

True to their name, these lizards are very speedy. If approached, they will zip away rapidly across the ground. Their long tails can be twice the length of their bodies.

Racerunners prefer hot, open habitats like fields, prairies, and beaches with sandy soil. They can be observed basking on rocks, logs, and other exposed surfaces early in the day. As temperatures rise, they become very active and fast moving.

These lizards range across the southern half of Indiana, with highest populations found from the central region southward. They emerge from hibernation in April and remain active into fall.

3. Eastern Fence Lizard

The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) is a common sight perched on fence posts, tree trunks, and rocks across Indiana. They have rough, saw-scale like skin with a row of spines running down their backs.

Their coloration consists of brown, gray, or black with light and dark mottling. Males develop vibrant blue patches on their bellies and throats during breeding season. Adult fence lizards reach 5-8 inches in length.

These lizards prefer dry, rocky habitats near trees and shrubs, including forests, woodlands, and hilly areas. They are adept climbers and are most often observed perching on vertical surfaces like fence posts, rock faces, and tree bark. When approached, they rapidly retreat up a tree.

Fence lizards are found from Indiana’s southern border northward to the central part of the state. Their activity period lasts from April to September.

4. Broad-headed Skink

The broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is Indiana’s largest skink species, capable of reaching lengths over one foot. As their name suggests, they have disproportionately wide heads and strong jaws.

These stout-bodied lizards are brown, gray, or black with five white or yellow longitudinal stripes down the length of the body. Males develop reddish-orange heads as they mature. Juveniles have strikingly blue tails.

Broad-headed skinks favor somewhat drier woodland habitats with an abundance of hiding spots like logs, rocks, and burrows. They are adept climbers, often observed on tree branches and trunks. They will whip their tails back and forth when defending themselves or distracted.

In Indiana, broad-headed skinks occur across the southern third of the state and northward to the central counties. They emerge in April or May and remain active through September.

5. Slender Glass Lizard

The slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) is not a true lizard, but is a legless lizard in the family Anguidae. They can reach impressive lengths of 3-4 feet. Their skinny, worm-like bodies are brown or gray and marked with dark lines or spots along the sides.

As their name suggests, glass lizards are fragile and can shed their tails similar to skinks. The regenerated tail is distinctly different in color and texture. On average, the tail makes up over half the length of a glass lizard’s body.

Slender glass lizards inhabit open forests, prairies, and coastal plains with sandy soil. They spend much of their time buried underground or hiding beneath rocks, logs, and leaf litter. When threatened, they quickly dive into loose substrate or down burrows.

In Indiana, glass lizards occur across the southern counties and along the far western border. They are most active from April through September.

6. Ground Skink

The ground skink (Scincella lateralis) is a tiny, secretive lizard measuring just 2-5 inches in total length. They have small limbs and smooth bronze, brown, or gray skin with dark lateral stripes along the sides.

As their name implies, ground skinks live on the ground among heavy leaf litter. They are quick movers and will rapidly take cover under debris if disturbed. Their diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates.

Ground skinks occur throughout Indiana but are more common in the southern half of the state. They emerge from hibernation in early spring and remain active through late fall. Their small size and secretive nature make them harder to observe than other lizard species.

So if you spot a small, quick lizard scurrying through the leaves, it just might be a ground skink!

Habitat and Behavior

The lizards highlighted here occupy diverse habitats across Indiana, from dense hardwood forests to open prairies. However, they all rely on adequate hiding places, basking sites, and loose substrate to tunnel through. Log piles, rocks, and leaf litter are important habitat features.

Most species are active during the day (diurnal) and spend nights hidden safely in crevices, burrows, or dense vegetation. They emerge in spring to bask, forage, and breed. Cold-blooded lizards rely on external warmth from the sun and habitat features to regulate their body temperature.

During very hot weather, they may become excessively active before retreating to cooler shelters. Come winter, these lizards hibernate below the frost line or in other protected locations. Their activity period lasts roughly April through September or October in Indiana.

Benefits and Protection

Lizards play important roles in balancing ecosystems by preying on insects like mosquitos, flies, spiders, and more. And in turn, they become food for larger predators like birds, mammals, and snakes. Their specialized adaptations allow them to thrive in Indiana’s varied environments.

It is important that these reptiles are not disturbed and are left in the wild. All six lizard species presented here are native and harmless to humans. They are fascinating to observe, but should not be captured or handled. Protecting their natural habitats will allow future generations to enjoy Indiana’s lizards.