The 6 species of lizard found in West Virginia

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Wild and wonderful West Virginia is well known for its abundance of wildlife. While everyone loves a cute and fuzzy creature, we can’t leave out our smaller, scalier friends.

The Mountain State is home to several species of amphibians and reptiles, including six different species of lizards according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR). As the weather warms up, here are some lizards to keep an eye out for during your next nature walk.

Eastern Six-lined Racerunner

Measuring between 5.98 and 10.51 inches in length when mature, the six-lined racerunner is identified by its six yellow or green stripes and velvety skin. They are native to the southeastern and central United States and can be found in dry soils, sunny areas with eroded clay and areas with sparse vegetation, or along roads, railroad tracks and powerlines in residential areas.

Northern Coal Skink

With two subspecies, northern and southern, the coal skink can grow to lengths between 5 and 7 inches and can be found in open, moist forests near streams and rivers or on rocky hillsides. These skinks come in a range of colors including olive-gray and brown and are identified by a large brown or black stripe on each side of the body along with a grey or bluish-gray belly.

Common Five-lined Skink

These critters can be found throughout the East Coast in wooded areas, making their homes in wood or brush piles, stumps, logs, rocky outcrops, loose bark and sometimes abandoned buildings. They measure 5 to 8.5 inches in length when fully grown and are identified by five yellow or cream-colored lines that eventually disappear in older males, along with their bright blue tails.

Broadhead Skink

The broadhead is the second largest species of skink, measuring up to nearly 13 inches in length. When fully grown, male broadheads will lose their stripes and become uniform brown with an orange or red head, unlike females. This skink species is an insectivore and can usually be found in open forests.

Eastern Fence Lizard

The fence lizard has multiple different subspecies depending on location. The eastern fence lizard can be found in West Virginia and usually seeks shelter under wood piles, logs and rocks during the evening and then basks in the sun during the day. They are identified by a gray, brown or rusty color and range from 3 to 7 inches in length.

Little Brown Skink

Also known as the ground skink, they are one of the smallest lizards in West Virginia, measuring only between 2.95 and 5.75 inches in length. They can be found in humid forests, streams and on pond edges living in loose soil, leaf litter and under decaying logs. Both males and females look identical and are light tan or golden brown with white or yellow stomachs.

While they may look cute, it’s important to enjoy them from a distance. Regulations were passed in 2021 which prohibit the taking and possessing of these species , along with several species of snake, turtle, frog, toad and salamander.

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