West Virginia is home to a diverse array of reptiles including 6 species of lizards. From the fast-running six-lined racerunner to the common eastern fence lizard lizards can be found in forests, fields, and even backyards across the state.
While none of the lizards in West Virginia are venomous, they can still give a nip if handled roughly. It’s also important to wash your hands after touching wild lizards, as they may carry Salmonella bacteria.
Below we’ll explore the 6 lizards species found in West Virginia, detailing their key identification features, habitat, and distribution across the state.
1. Eastern Fence Lizard
The eastern fence lizard is one of the most common and widespread lizards in West Virginia. They are medium-sized, growing up to 75 inches long
These lizards have gray or brown bodies with a dark stripe along the sides. Females have a white belly with black flecks, while males develop bright blue or green patches on their throat and belly during breeding season.
Eastern fence lizards prefer open habitats with rocks, logs, or fence posts to perch on. They can often be seen basking in the sun on wood fences, tree trunks, and rocks Their range covers most of West Virginia
2. Six-lined Racerunner
As their name suggests, six-lined racerunners have six distinct yellow or green stripes running down their back from head to tail. These very fast lizards can reach speeds of up to 18 mph when sprinting away from predators.
Racerunners have slender black or brown bodies measuring around 7-9 inches long. Their bellies are white and males may have bluish-green coloration on their throats. They inhabit open areas like fields, forests, and floodplains.
Though widespread, six-lined racerunners occur in relatively low densities in West Virginia. They can be hard to spot due to their speed and shy nature.
3. Little Brown Skink
The aptly named little brown skink is a tiny lizard, maxing out around just 5.5 inches long including its tail. Their small size and secretive habits mean they often go overlooked.
As the name suggests, little brown skinks have coppery-brown backs and lighter bellies. They like moist areas near streams and ponds where there’s plenty of ground cover and leaf litter to hide under.
Though their range covers much of the eastern US, little brown skinks are sporadic in West Virginia. They are most common in the state’s eastern panhandle and along the Ohio River.
4. Broad-headed Skink
The largest lizard in West Virginia, broad-headed skinks can grow over 12 inches long. They are stocky lizards with big triangular heads and long tails.
Broad-heads are brown or olive-colored, with five light stripes down the back. Males develop bright reddish-orange heads during breeding season. Juveniles often have striking blue tails that fade with age.
These skinks prefer forested areas near streams where there are plenty of rocks, logs, and leaf litter for cover and foraging. They can be found throughout much of West Virginia, but seem rare in the state’s highest elevations.
5. American Five-lined Skink
As their name indicates, five-lined skinks have five stripes running down their backs – these are white to yellow in color. The tails of juveniles are a vivid blue.
Ranging from around 4 to 8 inches in length, five-lined skinks are black or brown. Adults tend to become more uniform brown, often losing the striping pattern.
Five-lined skinks inhabit moist wooded areas across most of West Virginia. They can often be seen dashing across trails or rummaging through fallen leaves. They may also shelter in rotting logs or hide under stones.
6. Coal Skink
Coal skinks are dark brown to black with four broken light stripes along the back and sides. They have long blue tails with light striping in juveniles. Adults reach around 7 inches long.
These shy skinks live in forested hillsides near seeps and springs. They like areas with loose rocks and debris to hide under, and often dive into water to escape predators.
Though found sporadically across West Virginia, coal skinks seem to be most common in the Allegheny Mountains. They prefer higher elevation forests in the state.
Lizards Provide Pest Control
Lizards may go overlooked by many people, but they provide important ecological services. Most lizards found in West Virginia feed on insects like crickets, beetles, ants, flies, spiders, and more. Their voracious appetites can help control pest populations.
While lizards don’t require any special habitats, you can make your yard more lizard-friendly by providing basking sites like rock piles and logs, as well as native plants and ground cover. Consider welcoming these fascinating reptiles to your backyard.
Further Resources:
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources – Information on reptiles and wildlife in West Virginia
- West Virginia Herpetological Society – Organization dedicated to education and conservation of WV reptiles and amphibians
WVDNR Headquarters is Moving to the State Capitol Complex
Beginning Monday, April 21, 2025, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources headquarters will be located at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston. Our current location in South Charleston will be closing on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Customers can continue to purchase products online at wvdnr.gov or visit a retail agent near them. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving you at our new location!
State Capitol Complex, Building 4 112 California Ave Charleston, WV 25305-004 304-558-6200
Exit gates close at 6 PM
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Effective March 23, 2021 Possession of the reptiles and amphibians, as defined by the §58CSR73 West Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Rule, is prohibited.
For complete wording of the law, see §58CSR73 West Virginia Reptile and Amphibian Rule
West Virginia’s herp regulations prohibit the possession of 80 species of reptiles and amphibians.
For a detailed explanation of the regulations regarding possession of a reptile or amphibian, view the Reptile and Amphibians Regulations Summary
West Virginia is a state rich with diverse species. It is home to 36 salamander species, 24 snake species, 15 frog and toad species, 14 turtle species, and 6 lizard species. Not only does our state have a large variety of species, it has some very rare and endemic herpetofauna including the Cheat Mountain salamander and the West Virginia spring salamander.
West Virginia is home to 15 species of frogs and toads. Frogs and toads are amphibians in the order Anura. These animals are ectothermic vertebrates with unique skin that must remain moist, and generally have longer hind limbs, webbed toes without claws, and no tails in their adult form. Although there is no true taxonomical distinction between toads and frogs, frogs usually have smooth skin, and toads usually have warty skin and spend more time on land. The 3 toad species in West Virginia include the Eastern spadefoot, Eastern American toad, and Fowler’s toad.
All frogs and toads in West Virginia lay eggs in water, which develop into aquatic larvae with gills, go through metamorphosis, and eventually become adults with lungs and the ability to spend extended periods of time on land. Species Accounts Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) Eastern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus a. americanus) Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona) Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris ferriarum) American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbianus) Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) Pickerel Frog (Lithobates paulustris) Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
West Virginia is home to 34 species of salamanders. Salamanders are amphibians in the order Caudata. These animals are ectothermic vertebrates with unique skin that must remain moist, and are long-bodied, low to the ground, lack claws, have tails, and look similar to lizards without scales. Like other amphibians, these animals lay eggs. However, some species will metamorphose from a larval to adult stage in water, while others will hatch on land as immature versions of adults.
There are two endemic species to the state – the Cheat Mountain salamander and the West Virginia spring salamander.
Click here for more on the Salamanders of West Virginia. Species Accounts Streamside Salamander (Ambystoma barbouri) Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum) Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) Marbled Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) Small-mouthed Salamander (Ambystoma texanum) Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleghaniensis) Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) Seal Salamander (Desmognathus monticola) Allegheny Mountain Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) Black-bellied Salamander (Desmognathus quadramaculatus) Black Mountain Salamander (Desmognathus welteri) Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bisliniata) Southern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea cirrigera) Eastern Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea l. longicauda) Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga) Kentucky Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus duryi) Northern Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus p. porphyriticus) West Virginia Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus subterraneus) Four-toed Salamander (Hemidactylum scutatum) Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) White-spotted Slimy Salamander (Plethodon cylindraceus) Northern Ravine Salamander (Plethodon electromorphus) Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus) Valley and Ridge Salamander (Plethodon hoffmani) Cumberland Plateau Salamander (Plethodon kentucki) Cheat Mountain Salamander (Plethodon nettingi) Yellow-spotted Woodland Salamander (Plethodon pauleyi) Cow Knob Salamander (Plethodon punctatus) Southern Ravine Salamander (Plethodon richmondi) Shenandoah Mountain Salamander (Plethodon virginia) Wehrle’s Salamander (Plethodon wehrlei) Midland Mud Salamander (Pseudotriton montanus diasticus) Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton r. ruber)
West Virginia is home to 6 species of lizards. Lizards are reptiles in the order Squamata. Although there is little difference between snakes and lizards phylogenetically, we generally understand lizards to be ectothermic vertebrates with elongated bodies, limbs, closing eyelids, external ears, and scales.
All lizards in the state are small, insectivores, diurnal, and egg-laying. If you see a lizard with a blue tail, you are observing a juvenile lizard! This characteristic can be seen in several species and will fade as the lizard matures. The northern fence lizard and common five-lined skink can be found in most counties in the state, while some other species are not as common. Species Accounts Eastern Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis s. sexlineata) Northern Coal Skink (Plestiodon a. anthracinus) Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) Broad-headed Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) Little Brown Skink (Scincella lateralis)
West Virginia is home to 22 species of snakes. Like lizards, snakes are reptiles in the order Squamata. Snakes are very closely related to lizards, but we recognize snakes to be scaly ectothermic vertebrates that do not have limbs, external ears, or closing eyelids. Interestingly, different species of snakes employ various reproductive strategies from live births (viviparity), to producing eggs that develop within the body and giving birth to live offspring (ovoviparity), to laying eggs (oviparity).
Two of the snake species in West Virginia are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and eastern copperhead. These two pit vipers use their venom to subdue prey, including rodents and other small mammals. Despite their reputation, they pose little danger to humans who keep their distance and do not disturb them. It is illegal to kill any snake in the wild, in West Virginia. Species Accounts Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) Eastern Wormsnake (Carphophis a. amoenus) Northern Black Racer (Coluber c. constrictor) Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) Northern Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus edwardsii) Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) Eastern Kingsnake (Lampropeltis nigra) Eastern Black Kingsnake (Lampropeltis g. niger) Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis t. triangulum) Common Watersnake (Nerodia s. sipedon) Northern Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys a. aestivus) Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis) Eastern Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) Cornsnake (Pantherophis guttatus) Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides) Northern Pinesnake (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) Dekay’s Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) Red-bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) Common Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis s. saurita) Eastern Gartersnake (Thamnophis s. sirtalis) Mountain Earthsnake (Virginia valeriae pulchra) Eastern Smooth Earthsnake (Virginia v. valeriae)
West Virginia is home to 13 species of turtles, and 1 subspecies. Turtles are reptiles in the order Testudines. These ectotherms are best known for their protective shell, developed from the ribs. Some turtles, like the woodland box turtle, can close completely into their shell, protecting their limbs and head from predators. In addition to their shells, they share characteristics including scales, tails, limbs, lungs, and laying eggs on land. Some spend almost all their time underwater, others on land.
All turtles in West Virginia are aquatic or semiaquatic. Our most terrestrial turtle is the woodland box turtle. This and many other turtle species can live several decades in the wild, but there is high mortality of eggs and hatchlings. Some turtles in the state have unique shell patterns or brightly colored limbs, such as spotted turtles and wood turtles, which make them desirable for illegal collection for the pet trade. With high mortality of young, adults being illegally taken or killed on roads, and habitat change and loss, many turtle populations are in danger. Species Accounts Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone m. mutica) Eastern Spiny Softshell (Apalone s. spinifera) Snapping Turtle (Chelydra s. serpentine) Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys p. picta) Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) Northern Map Turtle (Grapetemys geographica) Ouachita Map Turtle (Grapetemys ouachitensis) Eastern River Cooter (Pseudemys c. concinna) Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris) Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) Woodland Box Turtle (Terrapene c. carolina) Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Northern Fence Lizard in West Virginia
FAQ
Are there lizards in West Virginia?
West Virginia is home to 6 species of lizards.
What is the state reptile for West Virginia?
West Virginia’s State Reptile – Timber Rattlesnake. Timber rattlesnake. USDA Forest Service photo by Kyle Garris. Timber rattlesnakes are found all over Monongahela National Forest and although you probably won’t see one, it is possible.
Are lizards okay around the house?
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Natural pest control:Lizards, particularly geckos, are known to consume various insects, reducing potential pest infestations.
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May not be a threat to your home:Unlike some other pests, lizards typically don’t cause structural damage to houses, according to a post on Reddit.
Is it good or bad to have lizards in your yard?
… in your garden can prove that your garden (and any food grown in it) will have low levels of pesticides, heavy metals, and potentially harmful chemicals