Lizards of Pennsylvania

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

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

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.

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.