Native to Europe, common wall lizards are growing bigger, faster, and more resilient in Ohio. Scientists say the city itself may be driving their evolution.
For more than 70 years, thousands of common wall lizards, known as Lazarus lizards, from Europe have made Cincinnati their home. Even through record-low temperatures and snowfall, they’ve managed to survive—and multiply. But how did these Mediterranean reptiles gain such a foothold in a Midwestern city? It all started with a 10-year-old boy and a sock full of lizards.
In 1951, George Rau Jr., whose stepfather, Fred Lazarus Jr., founded the retail chain that would later become Macy’s, smuggled 10 Italian lizards home from a family trip in Lake Garda and set them loose in his backyard. He had no idea he was unleashing an ecological experiment spanning decades.
Today, their descendants number in tens of thousands—if not hundreds—of thousands. Declared “permanent residents” by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, they scurry across sidewalks, cling to brick walls, and flourish in an environment that seems much different than where they’re from. How did Cincinnati become their perfect home?
Ohio may not be the first place you think of when it comes to lizards, but the state is actually home to quite a few different species. From small skinks scurrying through leaf litter to the exotic Mediterranean House Gecko, lizards have found niches across Ohio.
In this article we’ll take a look at the natural history, distribution, identification and interesting facts about six lizard species found in the Buckeye State.
Common Five-lined Skink
The Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is one of the most frequently encountered lizards in Ohio. As its name suggests, juveniles have five distinctive white or yellow stripes running down their bodies – one down the spine and two on each side. The stripes fade as the lizards mature, often leaving adults with just a hint of the juvenile patterning.
Five-lined Skinks thrive in wooded habitats across Ohio especially areas with plenty of fallen logs stumps, and loose bark to hide under. If uncovered, they’ll make a dash for the nearest tree, using their speed and agility to escape threats.
Males develop bright reddish jaws and heads during breeding season. Females remain more subdued but guard their eggs vigilantly until they hatch. Five-lined Skinks play an important role controlling insect populations, feasting on spiders, crickets, beetles, and more.
Eastern Fence Lizard
The Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) creeps and scrambles around forests in southern Ohio. It’s a small, long-tailed lizard that can vary from gray to brown to nearly black. But its most notable feature is found on the males.
During breeding season, male Eastern Fence Lizards sprout iridescent blue patches on their bellies and throats. These flashy spots not only attract females but also help males size each other up and defend their territories.
Eastern Fence Lizards frequent rocky outcrops, logs, and forest edges, avoiding the hottest part of the day by being most active in the mornings. Fire ants can be a deadly threat, but some populations in Ohio have evolved longer legs and defensive behaviors to escape the stinging insects.
Mediterranean House Gecko
Believe it or not, this little lizard hailing from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea is now one of the most common geckos across Ohio homes and urban areas. The adaptable Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) likely hitched a ride to the state in shipments of building materials or plants.
Only reaching 2-3 inches long, these geckos come in two color phases – pale pinkish-white and gray to brown. Their eyes lack eyelids and have vertical pupils. Unlike many strictly nocturnal gecko species, Mediterranean House Geckos are active at day or night if temperatures are suitable.
Listen for their distinctive clicks and squeaks as they hunt insects attracted to lights. And don’t be too surprised if they’ve made their home inside your house! They thrive equally well indoors or out in Ohio’s climate.
Broad-headed Skink
The aptly named Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) boasts one of the blockiest, most triangular skulls of any Ohio lizard. It measures up to a foot long, with mature males taking on a uniform brown or gray appearance. Females and juveniles retain some striping reminiscent of the Five-lined Skink.
These large skinks inhabit swampy forests and woodlands in southern Ohio. Their ultra-strong jaws help crack snail shells and other hard-bodied prey. Unlike related species, Broad-headed Skinks often climb trees and logs instead of sticking to the ground. Still, you might catch them basking on a fallen branch soaking up sunshine.
Common Wall Lizard
Cincinnati might seem like an unlikely place to harbor a colony of European Wall Lizards, but that’s exactly what can be found slithering around parks, yards, and sidewalks of Ohio’s southwest corner. Back in the 1950s, an Ohio family inadvertently introduced the species after a trip to Italy. The Mediterranean climate proved perfect for the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) to thrive.
Ranging up to 8 inches long, these robust lizards come in a variety of brown, gray, and green color variations with some spotted patterns. They’ve expanded outward from the original Cincinnati introduction but seem limited by cold winter temperatures farther north. Keep an eye out on rock walls, buildings, fences, and other manmade structures.
Little Brown Skink
Last but not least on our Ohio lizard list is the petite Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis). Less than 6 inches long, these little ground-dwellers inhabit leaf litter and debris across Ohio forests. Their smooth scales are brown, copper, or black with a light stripe on each side.
Little Brown Skinks make extensive use of their transparent “window” eyelids to watch for threats while keeping eyes protected and moist. They also drop their tails at the slightest disturbance, allowing them to flee while a predator is distracted.
Despite their small size, Little Brown Skinks play an integral role as prey for larger animals and controlling insects and spider populations as they scavenge the forest floor.
Parting Thoughts
Who knew that Ohio has such diversity when it comes to lizards? From ancient native species like the Five-lined Skink to exotic introductions like the Mediterranean House Gecko, the Buckeye State provides habitats for an unexpected variety of these cold-blooded reptiles.
Learning to identify the common lizards in your area is a fun way to engage with your local ecosystem and appreciate Ohio’s natural heritage. You never know when you might come across one of these fascinating creatures in your backyard or neighborhood park. Just remember to observe and appreciate them from a safe distance.
Why Cincinnati is the perfect lizard habitat
Although Cincinnati is not “traditionally thought of as lizardy,” it has proven to be a haven for the introduced lizards, says Eric Gangloff, a biology professor at Ohio Wesleyan University. He has spent five years studying the lizards in Cincinnati, and before that, he researched them in their native European range.
In the 1980s, researcher S.E. Hedeen discovered that Cincinnati’s climate is remarkably similar to that of Milan, just 70 miles west of Lake Garda, where the lizards originated. Their year-round temperatures vary by only a few degrees Celsius, and precipitation levels stay within the same 10-centimeter range each month.
But climate isn’t the only reason these reptiles have flourished. Cincinnati’s landscape has turned out to be an ideal substitute for their native habitat as well.
“Cincinnati is extremely hilly, and a lot of the old neighborhoods have stacked-rock retaining walls,” says Jeffrey Davis, a herpetologist who has been monitoring them since the early 2000s. Many of those walls have no mortar or cement between the rocks, which “makes a zillion little nooks and crannies and crevices that the lizards can dart into, and it also gives them access to the underground,” where they go in winter, he adds.
“It probably isn’t terribly surprising to [biologists] that they survived, because they were pre-adapted,” says Davis. “The thing to me that is so surprising is the density of the populations.” This species, Podarcis muralis, has also been found in other areas of Ohio and on Vancouver Island, Canada, but no other population is believed to be as prolific.
In some neighborhoods, as many as 1,500 lizards pack into a single acre, far more than their typical density in Europe, partially due to the reduced threat of predators and parasites. Even the Torrence Court neighborhood, where Rau Jr. first released them, remains a lizard hotspot.
After decades in Cincinnati, the lizards may be evolving to better navigate their urban world.
Gangloff oversees a team of student researchers—dubbed the “Lizard League”—who study the reptiles in a lab, testing how they respond to different environmental conditions. So far, they’ve found that the animals are getting larger and developing longer limbs, possibly to help them run from house cats, their primary urban predators.
After subjecting the lizards to various temperatures and wind speeds, hypothesizing that they would select cooler temperatures in higher winds to conserve hydration, the lizards did the opposite. And despite prolonged exposure to heavy metals in the city, the lizards seem unaffected.
“One of our experiments involved running lizards on treadmills to test their endurance and see if the levels of lead in their blood had any effect on this, because we expected that there would be some kind of association there,” says Emma Foster, a neuroscience junior at Ohio Wesleyan. “And we found that the lizards didn’t seem impacted by the lead toxicity at all.”
Since 2022, this research has been funded by a four-year grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation, which “seeks to identify the reasons that this species has flourished in novel urban environments on a new continent after an introduction of so few animals.” The entire population in Ohio is believed to have spawned from just three individuals of the original 10.
Beyond solving the mystery of Cincinnati’s lizard boom, this research could have broader implications—including for human health. While mice are the widely preferred model organisms for biomedical research, Foster says, “there is also value in studying unique features of animal brains that are less similar to the human brain.” If the lizards are more resilient to heavy metal exposure, then how could that translate into a drug for humans?
“That’s very far in the future,” she says, “but thinking broadly, that is where this kind of research could go.”
Lizards in Ohio?
FAQ
What lizards are common in Ohio?
- Eastern Fence Lizard. Adobe Stock image.
- Little Brown Skink, also known as a Ground Skink. Adobe Stock image.
- Common Five-Lined Skink. Adobe Stock image.
- Broad-Headed Skink. Adobe Stock image.
- Common European Wall Lizard. Adobe Stock image.
What is the story behind the lizards in Cincinnati?
It all started with a 10-year-old boy and a sock full of lizards. In 1951, George Rau Jr., whose stepfather, Fred Lazarus Jr., founded the retail chain that would later become Macy’s, smuggled 10 Italian lizards home from a family trip in Lake Garda and set them loose in his backyard.
What are the invasive lizards in Ohio?
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Origin:The European wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) is native to Europe and was introduced to Cincinnati in the 1950s, likely by a young traveler who brought them back from a trip to Italy.
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Current Distribution:They are now found in pockets throughout much of Cincinnati and parts of the adjoining states of Kentucky and Indiana.
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Habitat:They prefer rocky terrain or stone walls on south-facing slopes, which help them survive the winter.
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Potential Impacts:While they are generally harmless to humans, they may compete with native lizards for food and shelter.
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Evolutionary Adaptations:Some research suggests that the lizards in Cincinnati may be evolving to better navigate their urban environment, with some studies indicating they are getting larger and developing longer limbs.
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Ohio’s Wildlife Department’s Perspective:The Ohio Department of Natural Resources recognizes the lizards as permanent residents and has generally welcomed the non-native species.
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What to do if you see one:If you see an Argentine Tegus lizard, which is not the same as the European wall lizard, report the sighting using the online sighting form or call 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).
Why do I have lizards in my yard?
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Food:Lizards are insectivores, meaning they primarily eat insects. If your yard has a thriving insect population, it will attract lizards.
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Shelter:Lizards need places to hide and bask in the sun. Rocks, plants, piles of lumber, and even the exterior walls of your home can provide shelter.
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Water:Lizards need access to water, especially in dry climates. Leaking pipes, stagnant water, or even a leaky sink can attract them.
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Wandering:Lizards may simply be wandering through your yard in search of food or shelter, and if they find it, they may stay.
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Beneficial:It’s important to remember that lizards can be beneficial to your yard by consuming insects, which can help control pest populations.
What lizards live in Ohio?
Skinks are among the fastest reptiles in the world. What type of lizards are in Ohio? There are four native lizard species in Ohio: Eastern Fence Lizards, Little Brown Skinks (aka Ground Skinks), Common Five-Lined Skinks and Broad-Headed Skinks. There is also one invasive species: the Common (European) Wall Lizard.
Are lizards illegal in Ohio?
ODNR said it’s not known what effects the species has on native species, but their spread is discouraged, saying it’s illegal to release animals into the wild in Ohio. You might not think they’re common in the Midwest, but five species of lizard are found in Ohio.
Are there lizards in Cincinnati?
Yes, there are lizards in Cincinnati. In fact, millions of these lizards have settled here and can be found all over the city, from the East Side to the West Side, the city center to Northside, and even in nearby Kentucky and Indiana towns.
What is a common wall lizard?
Common name: common wall lizard, European wall lizard. The common wall lizard is a small and thin lizard with variable colored and patterned scales. They tend to be more on the gray to brown side with small areas of green. Some common wall lizards have a row of spots that can be found on their backs to create a line.
Are Lazarus lizards common in Europe?
Lazarus lizards, also known as common wall lizards, are common in Europe. They can be found in countries such as Spain, France, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, and Italy. They are often seen chasing ants and crickets.
When did the lizards likely arrive in Cincinnati?
These cold-blooded critters had likely hailed from Switzerland and invaded Cincinnati in 1953. A World War II soldier stationed in Italy had smuggled a few specimens back home after May 8, 1945, or Victory in Europe Day. Four years later, another origin story emerged in The Enquirer.