Lizards of Pennsylvania

1. Lizards of Pennsylvania

2. Northern fence lizard • In the group called the “spiny lizards” • 4 to 7 inches long • Diurnal • Spends much of its time in trees • Gray to brown with a white, greenish blue or pale blue belly. • Dark wavy crossbars on their back. • Males have a blue patch near the base of the throat. • Scales on the back are keeled and pointed. (spiny lizard) • Defend territory with displays • Use trees to evade predators or loss tail • Feed on beetles, other insects, spiders, and snails

4. Northern coal skink • Brown body with two pairs of light stripes. Each of which enclose a dark band from the neck to the tail. • Males may have a red head. • Young have a blue tail. • Females guard the eggs • Insectivore. • 5 to 7 inches

6. Five-lined skink • Diurnal • 5 to 7 inches • Brown to black with five broad light stripes. • Pattern may fade with age. • Young have a blue tail • Males heads swell and turn red-orange. • Usually terrestrial but will climb a snag to find insects and larvae. • Females guard eggs. • Feed on insect, larvae, spiders, crustaceans, worms, and small mice. More diverse diet than other skinks.

8. Broadhead skink • Candidate species • Largest lizards in Pa  6 to 12 inches • Diurnal • Males have a large head with what looks like swollen cheeks • Brown to olive brown body. • Young have five to seven yellow stripes on black body. • These fade with age • Blue tail on young • Most arboreal lizard in Pa • Female care for eggs • Feeds on insects.