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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​

Sceloporine Lizards (Subfamily Sceloporinae)

Eastern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)     C

Picture
​© Ty Smith
​Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 4.5 - 7 inches
Status: Least Concern
Picture
More Info

Agamas (Subfamily Agaminae)

Peter's Rock Agama (Agama picticauda)       Exotic Transplant

Picture
​© Ty Smith
​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

Picture
​© Ty Smith
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

Picture
​© Ty Smith
​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

Picture
​© Ty Smith
​Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 3.5 - 4.5 inches
Range: Mostly warehouses and urban buildings
Status: Widely Introduced
More Info

Tropical House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)       Exotic Transplant

Picture
​© Ty Smith
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

Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 4.5 - 6 inches
Status: Least Concern
Picture
More Info
Skink ID

Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus)     C

Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 5.5 - 8.5 inches
Status: Least Concern
Picture
More Info
Skink ID

Broadhead Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)     U

Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 8.5 - 13 inches
Status: Least Concern
Picture
More Info
Skink ID

Coal Skink (Plestiodon anthracinus)     R

Picture
​© Ty Smith
​Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 5 - 7 inches
Range: Rare in the southern Blue Ridge
Status: Least Concern

Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)     C

Picture
​© Ty Smith
Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 3 - 5 inches
Status: Least Concern
Picture

Whiptails and Ameivas (Subfamily Teiinae)

Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus)     R

Picture
​© Ty Smith
Recognized Subspecies in VA: Eastern Six-lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus sexlineatus)
Size: 6 - 11 inches
Range: Mostly Coastal Plain but rare in the Piedmont
Status: Least Concern

True Wall Lizards (Subfamily Lacertinae)

Italian Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus)       Exotic Transplant

Picture
​© Ty Smith
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

Picture
​© Cathy Louthan
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

Picture
​© Cliff Bernz
Recognized Subspecies in VA: Eastern Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus longicaudus)
Size: 20 - 32 inches
Range: Coastal Plain and Piedmont
Status: Tier IV
Picture
Herping Virginia encourages all naturalists to practice ethical, safe, and sustainable herping. The use of proper herping methods and techniques is beneficial to both wildlife and herpers. Visit the links below for more information.
Herping Virginia is based in Southside Virginia.
Contact: herpingvirginia@gmail.com
Facebook: Herping Virginia
Instagram: @herpingvirginia

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