Lizards (Order Squatmata; Suborder Lacertilia)

Following are the species accounts for the four families and nineteen species of lizards which occur in the South. Taxonomy in this section follows that of Collins (1990).

Species accounts are arranged alphabetically by family, then by genus and finally by species. The families included are:

• Anoles, Fence, Collared, and Horned Lizards (Family Iguanidae)
• Whiptails (Family Teiidae)
• Skinks (Family Scincidae)
• Glass Lizards (Family Anguidae)

Management Suggestions

All lizards considered in this section are terrestrial by habitat preference. The main threat to their survival is habitat destruction/loss of suitable habitat. Most lizards require some form of surface debris and most need friable soils in which to burrow or deposit eggs. Additionally, most lizards require open canopied areas or forest openings which provide basking sites for thermoregulation. Unlike snakes, most species have small home ranges so they do not suffer the road fatalities as do snakes. Exceptions would be the glass lizards and some of the species of the western prairies.