Older American five-lined skinks lose their dark color to become a uniform brown. The younger skinks are dark brown or black in color with five white to yellow stripes that run along with their bodies, accompanied by a bright blue tail, which fades with age, as may the stripes. This is a small to medium-sized lizard growing up to 8.5 inches (21.5cm) in total length. The American five-lined skink goes by a number of names, such as redhead skink in adults and blue-tailed skink in juveniles. American Five-lined Skink American five-lined skink They do hibernate in winter and are active during the day, though it is not uncommon for them to be out at night. It’s not uncommon for this skink to hide in water if pursued. They actually spend most of their time hiding in the leaf litter, as they seldom climb any trees, unlike other skinks. They are found where there is plenty of leaf litter, which they use to hide themselves if approached. These skinks like a host of habitats from hedgerows and forests to the edge of a pond or stream. The little brown skink can be found in most Eastern United States and Northern Mexico. They have an elongated body with short legs. They are copper brown in color with yellow or white tummies. If you have a small steam or pond in your yard, then you may come across these small lizards. They grow up to 5.5 inches (14.5cm) in total length, that includes the tail. The little brown skink or ground skink is one of the smallest reptiles you can find in North America.

Little Brown Skink Little brown skinkĬommon name: Little brown skink, ground skink. These lizards are often seen in open floodplains, woodlands, grasslands, and even rocky outcrops. These shy and fast-moving lizards can move up to 29 km/hr when trying to get away from predators. The tail is double the length of their slender bodies. Their tummies are white in females and males have pale blue tummies. Six-lined racerunners are black, brown, or dark green in color with distinct yellow or green/yellow stripes down the body, the six stripes run from the head to the tail. Scientific name: Aspidoscelis Sexlineatus. Six-lined Racerunner Six-lined racerunner Their throats are also green/blue with black. Males, on the other hand, are brown but tend to become a green/ blue color on their tummy during summer. Her tummy is white with black flecks and maybe some pale blue on her throat and tummy. They grow up to 7.5 inches (19cm).įemales are gray with wavy lines across her back. The eastern fence lizard is a gray or brown lizard that has a dark line running near the back of the thigh.

Eastern Fence Lizard Eastern fence lizardĬommon name: Eastern fence lizard, prairie lizard, fence swift, gray lizard, northern fence lizard, pine lizard. The 6 lizards in West Virginia, include: 1. If you or a family member touches or handles a lizard, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly and keep your hands away from your mouth until your hands are washed, eliminating the risk of getting Salmonella. The good news is that there are no poisonous lizards in West Virginia, but lizards do carry Salmonella. Are There Poisonous Lizards In West Virginia? If you’re wanting to find out more about the lizard you just saw in West Virginia, continue reading for detailed information. There are 6 lizards you will come across in West Virginia, whether you are out walking in the forests or sitting in your own yard.

Blue tailed lizard