Lizards come in a stunning array of colors and patterns. But for some species, black is the dominant hue.

These dark-colored lizards inhabit diverse environments worldwide. They have adapted to blend in with black lava flows, dark tree bark, or the shaded forest floor.

Some all-black lizards even live in the ocean, camouflaging against the dark depths.

Keep reading to discover 12 jet black lizard species and where to find them. You may be surprised by some of the exotic locales where these ebony-colored reptiles dwell.

1. Black Girdled Lizard

Native to the Cape Peninsula of South Africa, the aptly named black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) sports an all-black look.

This unique species has a spiny armored appearance, with rows of thorny scales running down its body and tail. Its triangular head is also covered in small spikes.

Adults range from dark gray to pure black. Younger lizards display a banded pattern of black and brown.

These stocky lizards cling to rocks and soak up the sun’s heat through their dark scales, They dine on ants and other insects foraged in the sandy flats of Table Mountain National Park

Due to their extremely limited habitat, black girdled lizards are vulnerable to extinction Habitat destruction and pet trafficking threaten these unusual African lizards.

2. Land Mullet

The land mullet (Egernia major) patrols the woodlands and rainforests of eastern Australia. A large black stripe extends from its head down the length of its back.

This big-bodied lizard has a triangular head and a bright yellow or orange belly. Its thick tail can be twice the length of its body.

Land mullets use their sharp claws to dig burrows under logs and roots. At night they emerge to hunt for invertebrates and small vertebrates.

These secretive lizards play an important role in balancing forest ecosystems. But land clearing has destroyed much of their habitat.

3. Black Rock Skink

Australia’s aptly named black rock skink (Egernia saxatilis) creeps over boulders and sandy beaches across southeastern Australia.

This smooth-scaled lizard blends in with its dark surroundings. It sports an all-black body with a blue-black tail and toes.

Shy and reclusive, black rock skinks spend their days hiding in rock crevices. At dusk they emerge to hunt insects and other small prey.

Females lay eggs inside deep rock fissures to protect their offspring. These devoted lizard moms stand guard until the babies hatch.

4. Black Emo Skink

New Guinea and surrounding islands host the rare black emo skink (Emoia nigra).

True to its name, this secretive little lizard sports jet black scales with an iridescent blue sheen. Unlike most other emo skinks, it lacks colorful markings.

Black emo skinks inhabit lowland rainforests. They hide in leaf litter and hunt tiny invertebrates on the forest floor.

Sadly, ongoing deforestation across New Guinea threatens the vulnerable black emo skink. Habitat loss has caused its numbers to decline.

5. Lace Monitor

Reaching over 6 feet long, Australia’s lace monitor (Varanus varius) is a contender for the largest all-black lizard.

This monitor lizard has smooth, shiny black skin with faint yellow patterned bands wrapping around its body. Its long tail accounts for over half its length.

Averse to the cold, lace monitors spend winter burrowed underground or coiled up in tree hollows. When spring arrives, they emerge to bask on branches and hunt mammals, birds, and reptiles.

These intelligent lizards thrive in Australia’s east coast forests. Their tree-climbing talents help them escape from predators.

6. King’s Skink

The glossy black scales of the king’s skink (Egernia kingii) provide perfect camouflage against the charred bark of its home in southwest Australia.

White or gray speckles decorate its otherwise black body. During breeding season, males develop striking red coloration on their heads.

These large, stocky skinks inhabit forests and coastal heathlands. They shelter beneath vegetation and fallen timber. At dusk they emerge to feast on juicy plants, fruits, flowers, and the occasional insect snack.

King’s skinks play a vital role dispersing seeds and pollen through the landscapes they inhabit.

7. Roughneck Monitor

In the tropical forests of Southeast Asia dwells the ominous-looking roughneck monitor (Varanus rudicollis).

This big lizard wears a coat of inky black scales. Dark gray bands stripe its muscular tail. An elongated snout packed with sharp teeth adds to its formidable appearance.

Roughneck monitors climbtrees and raid bird nests for eggs. They also feast on rodents, frogs, and other small vertebrates.

These monitors face threats from habitat destruction and exploitation for the exotic pet trade. Their global population numbers have dropped significantly.

8. Black Tree Monitor

New Guinea’s Aru Islands are home to the rare black tree monitor (Varanus beccarii).

As its name suggests, this species sports jet black scales. Its extra-long tail acts as a counterbalance for climbing and clinging to branches.

Black tree monitors inhabit tropical forests, where they spend nearly their entire lives in trees. Equipped with sharp claws, they climb effortlessly up tree trunks.

These agile lizards feast mainly on tree-dwelling insects and small vertebrates. Females lay eggs secured deep inside tree hollows.

Deforestation has destroyed much of the black tree monitor’s habitat. They also face threats from poaching for the illegal pet trade.

9. Leopard Gecko – Black Night Morph

While most leopard geckos sport the namesake spots, selective breeding has produced all-black morphs like the black night.

This variety of leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) has solid black skin from head to tail. Its alien-like eyes glow yellow in the dark.

Native to Asia, leopard geckos thrive in hot desert environments. Their nocturnal nature helps them avoid daytime heat.

As opportunistic feeders, wild leopard geckos dine on spiders, scorpions, small lizards, and more. Captive geckos eat a diet of insects.

The striking black night morph is bred in captivity and sold as pets. This color variation does not exist naturally in the wild.

10. Blue Tongue Skink – Melanistic Morph

The melanistic morph of the blue-tongued skink represents a rare coal-black variant of this familiar pet lizard.

Selective breeding has produced this all-black color phase. Melanistic blue-tongued skinks have black skin, legs, tails, and heads.

Native to Australia and Indonesia, most blue-tongued skinks (genus Tiliqua) sport brown and cream patterns. They are famous for flashing their bright blue tongue as a warning signal.

Omnivorous in the wild, these big-bodied lizards consume slugs, snails, fruits, vegetables, and carrion. Pet skinks eat a balanced diet of plant and animal matter.

11. Fiordland Skink

New Zealand’s remote Fiordland region is home to the rare Fiordland skink (Oligosoma acrinasum).

This species comes in two main color variants – all black or black with brown striping.

Fiordland skinks inhabit beech forests and alpine herb fields. They avoid the heat by being most active at dawn and dusk.

Destruction of New Zealand’s temperate rainforests caused the Fiordland skink to disappear from mainland Fiordland by 1970.

Thanks to conservation efforts, wild populations were reestablished on several predator-free islands. Ongoing habitat restoration aims to protect these rare black lizards.

12. Marine Iguana

The Galapagos Islands host the world’s only seagoing lizard – the marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus).

These aquatic reptiles come in a range of colors, including black. Their long flattened tails are perfect for swimming.

A true oddity of evolution, marine iguanas graze underwater on seaweed and algae. Barnacles even grow on their skin!

They populate the rocky shores of the Galapagos, clustering in “rafts” to soak up heat after a chilly ocean swim.

Climate change, oil spills, and predation threaten theseunique iguanas. They are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.

Conservation efforts aim to protect the islands’ fragile marine and land ecosystems – along with their population of prehistoric-looking marine iguanas.

In Summary

The black coloration of these 12 lizards provides camouflage and heat absorption advantages. Dark scales help them hide in shaded forests and blend in with lava flows or charred tree bark.

Lizard species span a range of habitats from remote Pacific islands to the Australian Outback. Rare black lizards dwell in tropical forests, on scenic beaches, and even underwater in the Galapagos sea.

Some black lizards occur naturally while selective breeding has produced melanistic or “black morph” variants of usually more colorful species.

Sadly, many ebony-hued lizards face dire threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and poaching. Conservation efforts aim to protect rare and vulnerable black lizard species worldwide.

Their dark beauty remains little-known. But scientists continue working to unravel the mysteries of these elusive nocturnal creatures of the night.