Lizards in Louisiana: A Guide to the 14 Species Found in the State

Louisiana is home to a diverse array of reptiles, including 14 fascinating species of lizards. From slender glass lizards to green anoles, these lizards occupy a variety of habitats across the state. Getting acquainted with Louisiana’s lizards provides a window into the state’s ecosystems and wildlife.

In this article, we’ll explore the 14 lizard species found in Louisiana, including key identification features, geographic ranges, habitat preferences, and interesting facts about each one. Read on to learn more about the lizards sharing the swamps, forests, and urban areas of Louisiana.

Slender Glass Lizard

Scientific Name Ophisaurus attenuatus

The slender glass lizard lives up to its name – this legless lizard has an exceptionally slender, snake-like body that can reach up to 22 inches long Two-thirds of its length is made up by the tail Slender glass lizards are yellowish or light brown with dark stripes running the length of the body and a light stripe down the center of the back. The pointed nose and visible ear opening distinguish it from snakes.

These lizards live in open forests, fields, and prairies with sandy soil ideal for burrowing. Their insectivorous diet consists mainly of ants, termites, and beetles. When threatened, slender glass lizards can detach their tails and flee, leaving the still-wriggling tail to distract predators – the detached tail regrows but is slightly shorter than the original.

Eastern Glass Lizard

Scientific Name: Ophisaurus ventralis

Reaching up to 43 inches long, the eastern glass lizard is Louisiana’s largest legless lizard species. It lacks the mid-dorsal stripe seen in the slender glass lizard and has a brownish body with faint white speckles on the neck and pale lines along the sides.

Found statewide in habitats ranging from pine forests to coastal marshes, eastern glass lizards favor moist microhabitats near streams, swamps, and ponds. Like the slender glass lizard, this species can voluntarily detach its tail when threatened. Detached tails continue to twitch for up to 30 minutes, distracting potential predators.

Green Anole

Scientific Name: Anolis carolinensis

The green anole is a small, slender tree-dwelling lizard ranging from 5-8 inches long. Male green anoles have a bright green body with a red or orange throat fan called a dewlap. Females are light brown with pale throat dewlaps. Both sexes have a ridge along the back and the ability to change color from brown to green.

Green anoles inhabit forests, woodlands, and suburban areas statewide. Look for them basking on branches, fences, and building walls. If approached, they rapidly climb higher or drop to the ground and flee. Green anoles are territorial and use head-bobs and dewlap displays during confrontations with rivals.

Brown Anole

Scientific Name: Anolis sagrei

Similar in appearance to the green anole, male brown anoles reach up to 9 inches long and have a red-orange dewlap. Females are light brown with a pale stripe along the spine and grow up to 5 inches long. Compared to the green anole, brown anoles have a larger toe pad and a distinctive ridge along the tail.

Native to Cuba and the Bahamas, brown anoles are an introduced species first recorded in Louisiana in the late 1990s. They now occupy urban and suburban areas statewide but tend not to displace green anoles from forested habitats. Fast and agile, brown anoles climb on buildings, fences, trees, and shrubs when hunting insects and other prey.

Mediterranean House Gecko

Scientific Name: Hemidactylus turcicus

With granular skin and a translucent belly, the Mediterranean house gecko is a small, vertically flattened lizard reaching 3-4 inches long. Color ranges from gray to light brown with darker spotting and banding. The toe pads have minute hairs that allow them to climb smooth vertical surfaces.

As their name suggests, Mediterranean house geckos live in close association with human habitation. They are common around buildings throughout Louisiana and most active at night when they emerge to hunt insects attracted to lights. During the day, these geckos hide out of sight in undisturbed cracks and crevices.

Spotted House Gecko

Scientific Name: Hemidactylus parvimaculatus

A close relative of the Mediterranean house gecko, the spotted house gecko measures around 2.5 inches long and has a pale brown body covered in small dark spots, hence the common name. It has larger toe pads than the Mediterranean house gecko.

Native to South Asia, spotted house geckos have been introduced to coastal areas of Louisiana and are established around New Orleans. They occupy similar urban habitats as the Mediterranean house gecko, often sheltering behind shutters or window frames during the day and emerging at night to forage on insects around light fixtures.

Prairie Lizard

Scientific Name: Sceloporus undulatus

Also known as the eastern fence lizard, the prairie lizard ranges from 4-7.5 inches long including the tail. The back is gray or brown and marked with darker wavy lines or bars. Females have gray bodies with black flecks on the belly and males may have blue-green coloration on the belly and throat.

As their name suggests, prairie lizards inhabit open habitats like prairies, old fields, and forest clearings. Look for them basking on logs, rock piles, and fence posts. If approached, they seek shelter in burrows or rock crevices. Prairie lizards occasionally climb into low shrubs but spend most of their time on the ground.

Coal Skink

Scientific Name: Plestiodon anthracinus

The coal skink is a small-to-medium sized skink reaching up to 7 inches long. It has a black body with five white or yellow stripes extending onto the long blue tail of juveniles. Neonate coal skinks are patternless black in color. Adults are black to dark brown with an orange head during breeding season.

Found statewide in forested habitats, coal skinks spend much of their time concealed beneath leaf litter, fallen logs, and other natural debris. They occasionally descend into burrows and are adept swimmers that will dive and take refuge underwater when threatened. Coal skinks are active foragers on the forest floor, consuming a wide variety of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates.

Common Five-lined Skink

Scientific Name: Plestiodon fasciatus

One of Louisiana’s most recognizable lizards, the aptly named common five-lined skink grows up to 8.5 inches long. As the name suggests, juveniles have five prominent yellowish stripes down a blackish body and a vibrant blue tail. Adults are brown or bronze with faded striping.

Prefers moist microhabitats near streams and swamps statewide. Spends much time concealed beneath leaves, logs, and other natural debris but will bask in the open on logs, rocks, and tree stumps on sunny days. Common five-lined skinks are fast runners and swimmers that seek refuge in water when threatened.

Southeastern Five-lined Skink

Scientific Name: Plestiodon inexpectatus

Similar to the common five-lined skink but with a more reddish-orange head and less vivid juvenile coloration. The stripes are muted grayish-brown and the belly is white with black flecks. Grows up to 5 inches long. Prefers moist coastal plain forests with dense leaf litter.

Broad-headed Skink

Scientific Name: Plestiodon laticeps

The broad-headed skink is Louisiana’s largest skink, reaching up to 13 inches long. It has a large triangular head and robust brown body with faint striping along the back. Males develop reddish-orange heads and throats during breeding season. Juveniles have blue tails that fade with age.

Occurs statewide in forested habitats with abundant leaf litter and fallen logs that provide cover. Broad-headed skinks are strong climbers and spend more time in shrubs and trees than most skinks. They descend to forage on the ground and excavate burrows for refuge and nesting sites.

Prairie Skink

Scientific Name: Plestiodon septentrionalis

A small skink with a slender brown body reaching up to 9 inches long. Juveniles exhibit five pale stripes and a blue tail that fades with age. secretive species that spends much of its time concealed beneath leaf litter or in burrows. Prefers prairie and old field habitats with sandy soil ideal for burrowing.

Little Brown Skink

Scientific Name: Scincella lateralis

One of North America’s tiniest lizards, the little brown skink averages just 3-4 inches in total length. As the name suggests, coloration is brownish with a pale belly that ranges from yellow to white. Occurs statewide in moist forested areas and along the banks of ponds and streams. Spends much of its time concealed beneath leaf litter and decaying wood.

Six-lined Racerunner

Scientific Name: Aspidoscelis sexlineata

The six-lined racerunner is aptly named for its six yellowish stripes extending from head to tail. Color ranges from brown to greenish-black. Males have blue bellies and green throats. A slender, long-tailed lizard reaching up to 7 inches in total length.

These lizards occupy open and semi-open habitats statewide, including prairies, old fields, sandy areas, and open woodlands. Six-lined racerunners are speedy, ground-dwelling lizards that can dart rapidly across open ground if approached. They spend much of their time basking on patches of bare soil.

Parting Thoughts

Ranging from the diminutive little brown skink to the imposing eastern glass lizard, Louisiana’s lizard fauna reflects the diversity of ecosystems found across the state. Coastal marshes, inland forests, and human-altered environments all provide habitat for one or more species. Watching lizards provides a window into Louisiana’s natural heritage.