Reptiles with the most diversity and fascination are probably lizards.
The diversity of sizes and shapes among them is demonstrated by the number of lizards in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma’s indigenous species, which range in size from the tiny little brown skink to the unusual horned and skinny glass lizards, won’t surprise you.
You’ve come to the correct location, whether you’re a novice herpetologist or simply interested in learning more about lizards in the Oklahoma population.
This piece will look more closely at the state’s distinct fauna and features.
So grab a seat, and get ready to discover everything there is to know about lizards in Oklahoma!
1. Broadhead Skink
One of the largest lizards in Oklahoma is the broad-headed skink, which can be found in the state’s extreme east.
Its body is long and stocky, usually ranging from 6.5 to 12.5 inches, and it has short legs.
This species is known as the “painted dragon” because of the unusual pattern of black, brown, and yellow dots all over its body.
Being a diurnal species, the broad-headed skink spends its days busy and nights hiding in burrows.
These lizards in Oklahoma usually eat insects, spiders, mollusks, small reptiles, and smaller rodents.
2. Western Thin Glass Lizard
It is frequently found in sand prairies, ancient open fields with sandy soil, sandy oak savannas, and forest borders.
The western thin glass lizard is one of the legless lizards in Oklahoma, except the state’s westernmost regions and the panhandle. It is frequently mistaken for a snake.
This species is known as the “glass snake” because of its smooth, scaleless skin and 42-inch maximum length.
It has a dark-colored stripe running down its back and a coloring that varies from yellowish brown to dark brown.
The western thin-walled glass lizard is an opportunistic feeder that feeds on small reptiles, young rodents, spiders, and other invertebrates.
It spends much of its time basking on warm rocks and logs in the early morning and late afternoon.
3. Northern Green Anole
The northern green anole is also on our list of lizards in Oklahoma that eat termites, moths, ants, worms, tiny slugs, butterflies, small beetles, flies, spiders, and crickets.
They can be found in regions with a dense tree canopy, such as woods, forested beaches, and wetlands.
Small lizards like the green anole are common in Oklahoma’s southeast, especially in the Tulsa and Oklahoma City regions.
Its coloring varies from bright green to brown, yet it may turn brown in colder climates or under stress. Its lengthy tail, which is almost half the length of its body, is approximately 4 inches long.
4. Eastern Collared Lizard
Eastern collared lizards can extend 8 to 12 inches. Various insects are consumed by the Eastern Collared Lizard, including hoppers, locusts, crickets, mealworms, waxworms, dubia roaches, silkworms, and earthworms.
The Eastern Collared Lizard, sometimes known as the mountain boomer, is Oklahoma’s most beautiful and colorful lizard.
Since it is the most easily recognized species in the state, the state chose it as the official reptile symbol in 1969.
This species features a huge head with an uneven-looking black collar around its neck, a lengthy tail twice as long as its body, and a stocky build.
A broad, dark line that extends from the top of its front limbs to its back follows this collar.
While female Eastern Collared lizards are gray with some orange patterns that may be more noticeable during the mating season, adult males are typically green with yellowish and orange markings.
5. Little Brown Skink
Living on the forest floor, they spend most of their time hidden beneath logs, flat rocks, and dead leaves.
Small and dull-colored, the Little Brown Skink (sometimes called the ground skink) is a lizard species native to Northern Mexico and the Eastern portion of the United States.
Its two short, dark brown stripes go down each side of its golden-brown or tan body.
Conversely, juvenile lizards frequently have a bronze hue with more pronounced black spots around their tails.
Their tails, heads, and bodies are adorned with dark, characteristic stripes.
The Little Brown Skink is a terrestrial lizard, which means it spends most of its time on the ground and hardly ever climbs into trees or branches, unlike other skinks in forests.
When predators approach too closely, these lizards in Oklahoma quickly flee by hiding beneath fallen leaves, logs, or rocks, thanks to their small legs. This species is widespread throughout Oklahoma.
6. Western Earless Lizard
The size of a Western Earless Lizard can reach up to 12 centimeters or 5 inches. Moths, butterflies, beetles, insects, spiders, and grasshoppers are among the arthropods they consume.
Their preferred environments include grasslands, shrublands, and deserts.
Because they don’t have external ear holes, Western Earless Lizards, also known as speckled earless lizards, have a smooth appearance on the side of their heads, hence their name.
To entice a mate, male Western Earless Lizards show off their vibrant colors during courtship.
These lizards in Oklahoma are frequently observed running away from danger on their hind legs and are considered fairly quick runners.
Because their numbers are steady and unlikely to become extinct, Western Earless Lizards are regarded as a species of least concern.
7. Great Plains Skink
With an average length of 5-8 inches (12-20 cm) from snout to tail tip, Great Plains Skinks are small animals that devour grasshoppers, termites, beetles, and other insects.
The Great Plains Skink can be found in places with lots of vegetation, logs, and loose soil.
During the breeding season, Great Plains Skinks are a territorial species and will protect their area from other males.
If these lizards in Oklahoma are harmed or lose their tails due to predators, they can grow new ones. However, the regenerated tail is frequently shorter and less colorful than the original.
High Plains During the day, skinks are busy and frequently observed taking advantage of the sun’s warmth to maintain their body temperature.
Although not listed as endangered, the loss of their habitat due to urbanization and agricultural development poses a threat to these skinks.
8. Common Five-Lined Skink
Being mostly insectivorous, these skinks will consume many tiny invertebrates, such as caterpillars, crickets, beetles, and spiders.
They are frequently found in various settings, such as suburban areas, fields, woodlands, and meadows.
The five-lined skink is one of Oklahoma and North America’s most frequent and plentiful lizards.
The tails of male five-lined skinks are bright blue, whereas the tails of females are brownish-orange. Males with blue coloring are said to draw mates.
Being swift and dexterous climbers, these lizards in Oklahoma are frequently observed ascending tree trunks and branches.
When disturbed, common five-lined skinks may shed their tails as a kind of defense. The skink will continue to twitch its severed tail, distracting the predator and allowing it to flee.
9. Prairie Skink
Prairie skinks are ending our list of lizards in Oklahoma. Being carnivores, their main food source is insects like beetles, crickets, and grasshoppers.
As their name implies, Prairie skinks are found in meadows, prairies, open forests, and agricultural fields.
Prairie skinks are among the rare lizard species that give birth to live offspring rather than eggs. A female can give birth to up to twelve children at once.
During the breeding season, male prairie skinks use their red head and throat to attract potential mates.
Oklahoma is home to the southern form of Prairie skinks. They are sometimes called “northern five-lined skinks” because of their characteristic stripes or “blue-tailed skinks” because the young might have bright blue tails.
Prairie skinks are secretive and typically hide in foliage or burrows during the day. Making them difficult to find in the wild even though they are reasonably common throughout their habitat.
