You might be surprised to learn that only 12 native species of lizards call South Carolina home, despite the state’s warm climate and diverse habitats.
While you’re likely to spot these scaly residents sunbathing on your deck or darting across garden paths, distinguishing between similar-looking species can be challenging without knowing what to look for.
Whether you’re a curious homeowner wondering about the colorful lizard on your porch or a nature enthusiast exploring South Carolina’s coastal plains and forests, this guide will help you identify the fascinating lizards in south carolina with confidence.
You’ll discover the key features that separate a native green anole from an invasive brown anole, learn why that “chameleon” in your yard isn’t actually a chameleon at all, and understand which species prefer specific habitats across the Palmetto State.
Green Anole
The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) stands as South Carolina’s most recognizable lizard and is often the first species newcomers encounter. This species is often incorrectly referred to as a chameleon due to its ability to change color from green to brown, but true chameleons don’t exist in South Carolina’s wild.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 5-8 inches total length
- Color-changing ability from bright green to brown
- Prominent red dewlap (throat fan) in males
- Adhesive toe pads for climbing
- Slender build with long tail
You’ll most commonly find green anoles basking on fences, porches, and garden structures during warm afternoons. Males display their bright red throat fans during territorial disputes and mating rituals, making identification straightforward. The University of Florida’s wildlife extension provides detailed behavioral information about this adaptable species.
Pro Tip: Green anoles turn brown when stressed, cold, or trying to blend with bark, not to match their surroundings like true chameleons.
Brown Anole
The brown anole (Anolis sagrei) represents an invasive species that has established populations in some areas of South Carolina. Originally from the Caribbean, these lizards compete directly with native green anoles for territory and resources.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 5-9 inches total length
- Brown and gray coloration with distinctive patterns
- White or cream-colored dewlap with orange edge in males
- More robust build than green anoles
- Prominent dorsal ridge patterns
Brown anoles prefer ground-level habitats compared to the more arboreal green anoles. While quite common, there aren’t that many lizards in South Carolina, making accurate identification important for tracking invasive species populations. The Florida Museum of Natural History documents how brown anoles impact native species.
Common Mistake: Don’t assume all brown-colored lizards are brown anoles – green anoles also turn brown temporarily.
Eastern Fence Lizard
The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) earns its name from its habit of perching on wooden fences and posts throughout South Carolina. This spiny-scaled species thrives in both rural and suburban environments.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 4-7 inches total length
- Gray to brown coloration with dark wavy crossbands
- Distinctive blue patches on throat and belly sides in males
- Keeled (ridged) scales giving a rough texture
- Prominent dorsal stripe patterns
Eastern fence lizards are excellent climbers and often sun themselves on vertical surfaces like tree trunks and fence posts. Their keeled scales distinguish them from the smooth-scaled anoles. During breeding season, males develop vivid blue coloration on their throats and belly sides. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources confirms this species’ widespread distribution across the state.
| Species | Scale Type | Primary Color | Habitat Preference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Anole | Smooth | Green/Brown | Trees, shrubs |
| Brown Anole | Smooth | Brown/Gray | Ground level |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | Keeled | Gray/Brown | Fences, rocks |
Six-Lined Racerunner
The six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineatus) lives up to its name as South Carolina’s fastest lizard, capable of reaching speeds over 18 mph. This ground-dwelling species prefers open habitats with sandy or loose soil.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 6-9 inches total length
- Six distinct yellow or white stripes running lengthwise
- Dark brown or black base coloration
- Extremely long tail, often twice the body length
- Granular scales rather than overlapping scales
Six-lined racerunners are most active during hot summer days when other lizards seek shade. They’re excellent diggers and create burrows in sandy soil for shelter and egg-laying. You’ll typically spot them in open areas like fields, meadows, and coastal dunes. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory provides comprehensive habitat information for this species.
Key Takeaway: If you see a striped lizard running across open ground at high speed, it’s almost certainly a six-lined racerunner.
Broad-Headed Skink
The broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps) represents South Carolina’s largest native lizard species, with adult males developing distinctive orange-red heads during breeding season. This semi-arboreal species often inhabits mature forests with large trees.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 6-13 inches total length (largest native species)
- Males develop bright orange-red heads when mature
- Five light stripes on juveniles (fade with age)
- Robust build with powerful jaws
- Smooth, shiny scales
Adult broad-headed skinks are impressive lizards that can deliver a painful bite if handled carelessly. Juveniles closely resemble other skink species but are generally larger. These lizards are excellent climbers and often nest in tree hollows or beneath loose bark. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offers detailed information about this species’ ecology.
Pro Tip: Large skinks with reddish heads are almost certainly broad-headed skinks, as this is the only species in South Carolina where males develop this coloration.
Five-Lined Skink
The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is one of South Carolina’s most common lizard species, found in various habitats from forests to suburban gardens. Juveniles are particularly striking with their bright blue tails.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 5-8 inches total length
- Five light stripes running from head to tail
- Bright blue tail in juveniles (fades with age)
- Males develop orange-red coloration on head during breeding
- Smooth, overlapping scales
Young five-lined skinks are easily identified by their electric blue tails, which they use to distract predators. As they mature, the stripes fade and the tail becomes gray or brown. Adult males develop reddish coloration on their heads, though less pronounced than broad-headed skinks. These adaptable lizards thrive in both natural and human-modified environments.
Common Mistake: Many people think blue-tailed skinks are venomous – they’re completely harmless to humans.
Southeastern Five-Lined Skink
The southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus) closely resembles the common five-lined skink, making field identification challenging without careful observation. This species prefers more humid, coastal environments.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 5-8 inches total length
- Five light stripes (similar to five-lined skink)
- Blue tail in juveniles
- Slightly different scale patterns around lips
- Preference for coastal plain habitats
The primary difference between southeastern and common five-lined skinks lies in their scale arrangements and habitat preferences. Southeastern five-lined skinks typically inhabit areas closer to the coast and prefer more humid environments. The Virginia Herpetological Society provides detailed morphological differences between these similar species.
Distinguishing between these two species often requires examining specific scale counts, making them difficult to separate in the field without experience.
Ground Skink
The ground skink (Scincella lateralis) is South Carolina’s smallest native lizard, often overlooked due to its secretive nature and small size. This species spends most of its time hidden under leaf litter and debris.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 3-5 inches total length (smallest native species)
- Bronze to golden-brown coloration
- Dark stripe running along each side
- Extremely smooth, shiny scales
- Short legs relative to body size
Ground skinks are fossorial, meaning they spend significant time underground or beneath surface cover. You’re most likely to encounter them when moving logs, rocks, or leaf piles in wooded areas. Despite their small size, they’re quite common throughout South Carolina’s forests. The Southeast Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation tracks populations of this often-overlooked species.
Key Takeaway: Any tiny, golden-brown lizard scurrying under leaves is likely a ground skink.
Coal Skink
The coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus) represents one of South Carolina’s less common native species, typically found in mountainous regions and areas with rocky outcrops. This species prefers cooler, moister environments than other skinks.
Key Identification Features:
- Size: 5-7 inches total length
- Four light stripes (not five like other skinks)
- Dark sides giving a “coal-like” appearance
- Blue tail in juveniles
- Preference for rocky, mountainous habitats
Coal skinks are most commonly found in the northwestern parts of South Carolina where suitable rocky habitat exists. Coal skinks are commonly spotted species in appropriate habitat, though their distribution is more limited than other skink species. They often hide under rocks near streams or in forested areas with rocky substrates.
The four-stripe pattern distinguishes coal skinks from the five-striped species, though juvenile coloration can be similar across skink species.
Conclusion
Understanding where you’re most likely to encounter specific species can narrow down identification possibilities significantly.
Green anoles and brown anoles are typically found in urban areas, while other species prefer specific natural habitats.
- Urban/Suburban Areas: Green anoles, brown anoles (invasive), ground skinks
- Forest Edges: Eastern fence lizards, five-lined skinks, broad-headed skinks
- Open Fields/Meadows: Six-lined racerunners
- Rocky Areas: Coal skinks (northwestern regions)
- Coastal Regions: Southeastern five-lined skinks, six-lined racerunners
Behavioral Clues:
- Fast-running with distinct stripes: Six-lined racerunner
- Color-changing on vertical surfaces: Green anole
- Blue-tailed juveniles in leaf litter: Various skink species
- Displaying red throat fan: Male green anole
Quick Reference for Common Confusion: Many people struggle to distinguish between similar species. The most common identification challenges involve separating the various skink species and distinguishing between green and brown anoles.
Use this quick checklist for accurate identification:
- Note the habitat where you found the lizard
- Observe the scale texture (smooth vs. keeled)
- Count stripes if present
- Note size and body proportions
- Check for distinctive features like dewlaps or colored tails
South Carolina’s native lizard species represent an important part of the state’s ecosystem, serving as both predator and prey in complex food webs.
Most lizards are carnivorous or insectivorous, eating insects, small mammals, or eggs, making them valuable for natural pest control in gardens and wild spaces.
By learning to identify these fascinating reptiles, you’re developing a deeper connection to South Carolina’s natural heritage while contributing to citizen science efforts that help monitor these populations.
Whether you encounter a color-changing anole on your porch or discover a blue-tailed skink in your garden, each sighting represents a successful identification of one of the Palmetto State’s remarkable native species.
