Ohio is home to several native lizard species. While not as diverse as warmer regions, these lizards are integral to Ohio’s ecosystems. They are often shy or easily mistaken for other creatures.
Ohio’s Native Lizard Species
Ohio is home to three distinct native lizard species: the Common Five-lined Skink ( Plestiodon fasciatus ), the Broad-headed Skink ( Plestiodon laticeps ), and the Six-lined Racerunner ( Aspidoscelis sexlineatus ).
The Common Five-lined Skink reaches 5 to 8.5 inches. Juveniles are dark with five yellowish stripes and a bright blue tail, which fades with maturity. Adult males can develop an orange tint on their heads during breeding season, while their stripes become less pronounced.
The Broad-headed Skink is larger, growing up to 13 inches. Adult males develop a prominent orange-red head and olive-brown body during the breeding season. Younger broad-headed skinks resemble common five-lined skinks, with dark bodies, five light stripes, and a blue tail.
The Six-lined Racerunner is a slender lizard, 6 to 10.5 inches long, with a dark background and six narrow white or yellow stripes. Adult males may display a blue belly, and juveniles often have blue tails.
Where Ohio Lizards Live
These native lizard species occupy specific habitats across Ohio, with some preferring wooded environments and others open, sandy areas.
The Common Five-lined Skink is widespread throughout Ohio and is frequently found in wooded areas. They often seek cover under logs, stumps, rock piles, or leaf litter.
Broad-headed Skinks are also found in wooded areas, particularly those with decaying logs, tree cavities, and forest edges. Unlike some other skinks, they are skilled climbers and often take refuge in trees. Their distribution primarily covers the southern two-thirds of Ohio.
Six-lined Racerunners prefer open, dry habitats such as sandy prairies, fields, and rocky outcrops. They are often observed along unpaved roads and trails, as they require sunny areas for basking.
Distinguishing Ohio’s Lizards
Identifying Ohio’s native lizards involves observing specific visual cues, such as differences in color patterns, size, and scale characteristics. Common Five-lined Skinks and Broad-headed Skinks can be challenging to differentiate, especially as juveniles, due to their similar striped patterns and blue tails. However, Broad-headed Skinks are generally larger as adults, and mature males develop a distinctly broad, orange-red head.
Six-lined Racerunners are distinguished by their six prominent longitudinal stripes and their non-shiny, somewhat velvety skin, unlike the smooth, glass-like scales of skinks. Their slender bodies and rapid movements are also key identifiers.
Lizards can be distinguished from salamanders, which often have similar body shapes. Lizards are reptiles with dry, scaly skin, claws on their toes, and external ear openings, and they breathe with lungs. Salamanders, as amphibians, have moist, smooth skin, lack claws and ear openings, and can breathe through their skin, gills, or lungs. Lizards typically lay leathery eggs on land, while most salamanders lay jelly-like eggs in water.
Observing and Protecting Ohio’s Lizards
Observe Ohio’s lizards respectfully to avoid disturbing them or their habitats. Maintain a distance and use binoculars, refraining from handling or capturing them. Ethical wildlife observation prioritizes animal well-being, which includes not baiting or disturbing natural behaviors.
The conservation status of Ohio’s native lizards varies. The Common Five-lined Skink and Six-lined Racerunner are considered stable or of Least Concern. The Broad-headed Skink is listed as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in Ohio, requiring monitoring and conservation efforts. Threats include habitat loss and fragmentation. Protecting their preferred habitats, such as wooded areas with decaying logs and open, sandy patches, supports their continued presence in the state.