Alabama is home to a remarkable diversity of lizard species. From small skinks to large monitor lizards, these reptiles thrive in the state’s varied ecosystems. In this article, we’ll explore the many types of lizards found in Alabama and learn about their habits, habitats and identifying features.
An Overview of Alabama’s Lizards
There are around 20 species of lizards that live in the wild in Alabama. Most are native, while a few are non-native species that have been introduced. The most common lizards belong to the following families
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Skinks – There are 8 species of these small, smooth-bodied lizards in Alabama They include the broad-headed skink, coal skink, mole skink and ground skink
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Anoles – 2 anole species are found in the state – the green anole and brown anole. These arboreal lizards have sticky toe pads that allow them to climb.
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Geckos – At least 3 gecko species call Alabama home, including the Mediterranean house gecko and Indo-Pacific gecko.
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Glass lizards – Legless relatives of lizards, there are 3 native glass lizard species in Alabama that resemble snakes.
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Monitor lizards – The Komodo dragon’s cousins! A small population of invasive Nile monitor lizards is present in the state.
In the sections below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most frequently encountered lizards in Alabama and how to identify them.
Skinks
Skinks make up almost half of the lizard species in Alabama. These small-to-medium sized lizards have smooth, shiny scales and short legs. They are typically brown, black or gray in color with some having stripes. Here are some of the most common skinks found in the state:
Five-lined Skink
The five-lined skink is aptly named for the 5 distinctive light stripes running down its back. These yellowish stripes contrast against the skink’s otherwise blackish body. Young five-lined skinks also have brilliant blue tails. As they age, the blue fades to gray. These skinks grow up to 8 inches long and enjoy forest habitats.
Broad-headed Skink
This aptly named lizard has an unusually wide, triangle-shaped head. Adults are brownish overall with orange heads. They can reach over a foot in length, making them Alabama’s largest skinks. Broad-headed skinks live in leaf litter in forests and wooded areas.
Ground Skink
Also known as the little brown skink, this species lives up to its name. It has a brown to black body that reaches just 6 inches in length. As their name suggests, ground skinks live on the ground, hiding among leaves and debris. They are most active in the morning and evening.
Coal Skink
Coal skinks are all black with long back toes. They inhabit forested areas near streams and wetlands. These skinks can dive into water to escape predators. At up to 7 inches long, they are a fairly large skink species.
Anoles
The green anole and brown anole are the two species of anole lizards found in Alabama. Anoles are arboreal lizards with special toe pads suited for climbing and clinging to branches.
Green Anole
The green anole is native to Alabama and gets its name from its green body accented with white. Males have a reddish throat fan called a dewlap. Green anoles live in trees and shrubs and eat small insects. They can change color from green to brown to regulate their body temperature.
Brown Anole
Originally from the Caribbean, brown anoles are an introduced species in Alabama. As their name suggests, they have tan to brown bodies with dark stripes down their backs. Male brown anoles have orange dewlaps. These lizards thrive in urban areas like parks and gardens.
Geckos
Geckos are mostly nocturnal lizards with large eyes and sticky toe pads. They make chirping noises to communicate. Several gecko species now call Alabama home:
Mediterranean House Gecko
This small tan gecko with dark spots is often seen on building walls and ceilings at night. They eat moths attracted to lights. Native to the Mediterranean, they arrived in Alabama as stowaways.
Indo-Pacific Gecko
Slightly larger than the Mediterranean house gecko, this species has grayish bodies with yellow-orange undersides. They also thrive in urban areas and are not native to Alabama.
Glass Lizards
Glass lizards resemble snakes due to their legless bodies, but are actually a type of lizard. Alabama has three native species:
Eastern Slender Glass Lizard
This species has a greenish brown back with white and black speckles on its sides. It lives in fields and forests. Glass lizards can drop their tails if threatened.
Mimic Glass Lizard
True to its name, this lizard mimics the look of snakes. It has a brown body with stripes and grows to a foot long. The mimic glass lizard inhabits pine forests and flatwoods.
Eastern Glass Lizard
This legless lizard has a distinct greenish black back and bright yellow underside. It can reach over 3 feet in length! Eastern glass lizards live in moist forests and grasslands.
Other Notable Lizards
Beyond skinks, anoles and geckos, there are a few other lizard species of note in Alabama:
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Six-lined racerunner – This aptly named lizard has six yellowish stripes and is very fast, reaching speeds of 18 mph! It lives in various habitats including woodlands.
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Texas horned lizard – Also known as horned toads, these round-bodied lizards have horn-like spines on their heads. They eat ants and live in sandy areas.
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Nile monitor – This large African lizard has established populations along Alabama’s Gulf coast. They can grow over 7 feet long!
Finding and Identifying Lizards
The best times to search for lizards are on warm, sunny days in spring and summer when they are most active. Look for them basking on rocks, logs or walls. Use binoculars to spot those up in trees and bushes. Go slowly and quietly to avoid disturbing them.
Take note of key features like body and tail shape, leg size, color patterns and toe pads to aid in identifying the species. Photographing them can help with ID too. Handle any wild lizards gently and quickly. Always wash hands afterwards as reptiles may carry bacteria like Salmonella.
With over 20 lizard species calling it home, Alabama provides excellent habitat for these fascinating reptiles. Whether you spot one in your backyard or while hiking, observing these diverse lizards in their natural settings is a memorable experience.
Southeastern Five-lined SkinkPlestiodon inexpectatus
The southeastern five-lined skink(Plestiodon inexpectatus) is a common skink in the southeastern United States.
This species occurs widely in the southeastern United States. Its geographic range extends from southern Maryland to the Florida Keys, and west to Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and eastern Louisiana, avoiding much of the Appalachian Mountains (Conant and Collins 1991).
As their common name suggests, southeastern five-lined skinks have five characteristic narrow stripes along their bodies that become lighter with age. The middle stripe tends to be narrower than the others, and the dark areas between stripes are black in young skinks but become brown with age. A similar lizard, the common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), is slightly smaller than the southeastern five-lined skink and has broader stripes. However, it is difficult to discriminate between these two species on the basis of physical appearance.
Young southeastern five-lined skinks have a bright blue or purplish tail, especially towards the tip. Also, stripes become a bright reddish orange towards the head. Juvenile coloration may persist into adulthood, giving the head of the animal an altogether orange-brown appearance.
They are diurnal ground-dwelling animals.
Like other skinks of the genus Plestiodon, they feed primarily on insects, preferring larger prey such as grasshoppers.
The specific name, inexpectatus (“the unexpected”), is possibly a reference to the unexpected discovery of this species in 1932, almost 175 years after Linnaeus described Plestiodon fasciatus, commonly known as the American five-lined skink.
Southeastern five-lined skinks are common inhabitants of wooded areas of the southeastern United States. They are commonly found on small islands off the southeastern coast even in the absence of fresh water and vegetation.
This skink species is easy to maintain in captivity. It has the same requirements as the common five-lined skink, although it can tolerate dryer conditions.
Southeastern five-lined skinks are oviparous; the clutch size varies from 6 to 12, with the number of eggs diminishing with higher latitudes. The female broods the eggs and protects them from predators, including other skinks. The hatchlings appear about one month after the eggs have been laid in early summer.
- (c) 2014 James H. Harding, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=609032&one=T
- (c) A. Jaszlics, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/medusasnail/6856030722/
- (c) 2011 Todd Pierson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=347523&one=T
- (c) Nolan Eggert, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nolan Eggert
- (c) 2012 Simon J. Tonge, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=420548&one=T
- (c) Matthew Salkiewicz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Matthew Salkiewicz
- Adapted by John P Friel from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plestiodon_inexpectatus
- Adapted by John P Friel from a work by (c) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/31209584
- (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeastern_Five-lined_Skink
Reptiles of Alabama!
FAQ
What is the most common lizard in Alabama?
Among the more notable and widely distributed lizards are the terrestrial ground skink (Scincella lateralis), arboreal green anole (Anolis carolinensis), and fence lizard (Sceloperus undulatus). All of these occur throughout the state.
What are the little green lizards in Alabama?
Green anoles are commonly found in Alabama around homes, in flower gardens, in low bushes or shrubby areas, on rock walls, in the woods and in trees. They require green plant vegetation, some shade and a moist environment.
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
What is the biggest lizard in Alabama?
The broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is the largest skink in Alabama. It is found in woodlands as well as suburban and even urban environments throughout the Southeast.
Do lizards live in Alabama?
Alabama has a climate hospitable to many reptiles, including lizards. This southern state’s topography ranges from forests to mountains, beaches to swamps. Geckos, anoles, and skinks all make themselves at home in the wilds of Alabama. There are more than 90 species of reptiles living in the state of Alabama, and over a dozen of them are lizards.
How many lizard species are in Alabama?
There are 16 lizard species you may come across in Alabama, whether at your home or while out walking. Continue reading for full details on the lizards in Alabama.
Are there any poisonous lizards in Alabama?
The good news is that none of the lizards in Alabama are poisonous. However, it’s important to note that lizards carry Salmonella. If you or your child touches or handles one of these reptiles, ensure you wash hands thoroughly and do not touch your mouth until hands are washed, reducing the risk of being infected with Salmonella.
How many species of reptiles are in Alabama?
The U.S. state of Alabama is home to 93 indigenous reptile species, not including subspecies. Indigenous species include one species of crocodilian, 12 lizard species, 49 snake species, and 31 turtle species. Three native species have possibly been extirpated from the state.
What disease can lizards in Alabama carry?
None of the lizards in Alabama are poisonous, but it’s important to note that lizards carry Salmonella. If you or your child touches or handles one of these reptiles, ensure you wash hands thoroughly and do not touch your mouth until hands are washed, reducing the risk of being infected with Salmonella.
Are glass lizards rare in Alabama?
Credit: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Mimic Glass Lizards are rare to find in Alabama! These almost impossible-to-find reptiles are usually smaller and darker in color than other glass lizards. Not much is known about this species other than their general habitat preference of pine forests and grassland.