Lizards
Squamata
(Order)
Lizards & Snakes
Eastern Fence Lizard
Sceloporus undulatus
Eastern Fence Lizards with sharply pointed, keeled, grey scales are easy to identify. Younger individuals exhibit dark, horizontal patterning along their back. Giving them excellent camouflage in their environment (see photo) Males develop two bright blue blotches on their bellies during breeding season in the summer. They occupy dry habitats and can be seen scurrying around tree trunks, logs, stones, and brush piles.
CR: Kent Mason
Northern Coal Skink
Plestiodon anthacinus anthacinus
Northern Coal Skinks are an elusive, medium sized skink reaching a total length of about 17.8 cm. This species can be identified by a broad tan to brown middorsal stripe running from the body to the tail, boarded with light colored stripes. Found in mountainous areas with moist forests, close to stream margins. They shelter under rocks and are known to dive into water when disturbed or hiding from predators. They will also drop their tails as a defense mechanism to deter or escape from predators when grabbed.
Common Five-Lined Skink
Plestiodon faciatus
The Common Five-Lined Skink is small to medium-sized lizard reaching a total length of 20.3 cm. young individuals exhibit dark brown to black bodies with 5 distinctive white or yellowish dorsal stripes, and a vibrant blue tail. Colors and stripes tend to slowly disappear with age. They inhabit moist, hardwood forests with prominent rivers, or streams, and areas for basking in the sun.
