Lizards (Suborder Sauria)
Lizards are very abundant in Virginia, although there are only 9 native species to the commonwealth.
Frequency Rating: Ratings are based on how common each species is across their range within Virginia. Some common species may be incredibly abundant within their small range, while some may be common in most of their range but rare in a small portion of their range. Some rarer species may be abundant in pockets of their range, but are overall rare.
Common = C Uncommon = U Rare = R Incredibly Rare = I
Frequency Rating: Ratings are based on how common each species is across their range within Virginia. Some common species may be incredibly abundant within their small range, while some may be common in most of their range but rare in a small portion of their range. Some rarer species may be abundant in pockets of their range, but are overall rare.
Common = C Uncommon = U Rare = R Incredibly Rare = I
Sceloporine Lizards (Subfamily Sceloporinae)
Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) C
Agamas (Subfamily Agaminae)
Peter's Rock Agama (Agama picticauda) Exotic Transplant
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 7 - 14 inches Range: One population at a cemetery in Amherst Co., as well as a few records at dock yards Status: Introduced |
Anoles (Family Dactyloidae)
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) R
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 5 - 9 inches Range: Mostly greenhouses and garden centers Status: Introduced to the majority, put likely extending into False Cape State Park and Back Bay NWR naturally |
Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) Exotic Transplant
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 4 - 7.5 inches Range: Mostly greenhouses and garden centers Status: Introduced |
Typical Geckos (Family Gekkonidae)
Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) Exotic Transplant
Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) Exotic Transplant
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 3.5 - 4.5 inches Range: A few records in the state. Seems they can show up anywhere things are shipped here from Florida and other gulf states. Status: Introduced |
Typical Skinks (Subfamily Scincinae)
Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) C
Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus) C
Broadhead Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) U
Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus) R
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 5 - 7 inches Range: Rare in the southern Blue Ridge Status: Least Concern |
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Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis) C
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 3 - 5 inches Status: Least Concern |
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Whiptails and Ameivas (Subfamily Teiinae)
Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) R
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: Eastern Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus sexlineatus)
Size: 6 - 11 inches Status: Least Concern |
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True Wall Lizards (Subfamily Lacertinae)
Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus) Exotic Transplant
© Ty Smith
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: Northern Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris)
Size: 6 - 9.5 inches Range: One population in Loudon Co. Status: Introduced |
Glass Lizards (Subfamily Anguinae)
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) R
© Cathy Louthan
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 20 - 40 inches Range: Ranges only up to Back Bay NWR Status: State Threatened |
Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) I
© Cliff Bernz
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Recognized Subspecies in VA: Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus)
Size: 20 - 32 inches Range: Coastal Plain and Piedmont Status: Tier IV |
