4 Types of Lizards in Maryland: A Field Guide to the State’s Native Skinks and Fence Lizard
September 18, 2026
Most people picture deserts or tropical islands when they think about lizards, not the forests and backyards of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Yet the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports that
Understanding the types of lizards in Maryland starts with a simple correction: this state has native reptile life well beyond snakes and turtles. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources lists
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources documents that there are seven species of lizards that have been reported to occur in the state, with four belonging to the skink family alone. This guide focuses on the four species most people actually encounter: the Five-lined Skink, Broad-headed Skink, Little Brown Skink, and Eastern Fence Lizard. Each one has carved out a distinct niche, from treetop hunting grounds to leaf-litter hideouts, and learning to tell them apart turns an ordinary hike into a small wildlife-spotting adventure.
| Species | Typical Length | Preferred Habitat | Where to Look |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-lined Skink | 5–8.5 inches | Damp forests, decaying logs | Piedmont and Appalachian woodlands |
| Broad-headed Skink | Up to 13 inches | Wooded hillsides, tree canopies | Coastal Plain, Potomac River Valley |
| Little Brown Skink | 3–5.75 inches | Leaf litter, moist soil | Coastal Plain forests |
| Eastern Fence Lizard | 4–7.5 inches | Open forests, fallen logs | Statewide in suitable habitat |
1. Five-lined Skink
The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) ranks as the most widely distributed lizard people encounter in Maryland. The Maryland Biodiversity Project has documented sightings from Frederick County to the Eastern Shore, reflecting just how adaptable this skink has become across the state’s varied landscapes.
Adults typically measure
The Chesapeake Bay Program’s field guide notes that
Diet-wise, this skink is an opportunistic hunter.
Pro Tip: If you spot a skink with a bright blue tail darting through leaf litter, you’re almost certainly looking at a juvenile five-lined skink. The color fades to muted brown or olive as the animal matures.
Reproduction follows a predictable seasonal pattern.
Within Maryland, the species shows a clear regional preference.
2. Broad-headed Skink
The broad-headed skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is easy to confuse with its five-lined cousin at a glance, but size and behavior set it apart quickly. According to the Maryland Biodiversity Project, this species is the largest skink in the state and the second-largest skink species found anywhere in North America.
Where the five-lined skink stays close to the ground, the broad-headed skink spends much of its life overhead.
Range-wise, this skink sticks to specific corridors.
Sexual dimorphism becomes obvious during breeding season. Adult males can reach lengths approaching
Distinguishing broad-headed skinks from five-lined skinks in the field takes practice.
3. Little Brown Skink
At the opposite end of the size spectrum sits the little brown skink (Scincella lateralis), sometimes called the ground skink. This is one of the smallest reptiles found anywhere in Maryland, and its diminutive size is exactly why so many residents never notice it.
The Maryland Biodiversity Project describes this species plainly:
Coloration helps with field identification, though it takes a careful eye.
Unlike the tree-loving broad-headed skink, this species stays firmly grounded.
Little brown skinks face a long list of predators that reflects their position near the bottom of the local food web.
Important Note: The Maryland Biodiversity Project notes that
4. Eastern Fence Lizard
The eastern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) stands apart from Maryland’s other native lizards for one simple reason: it isn’t a skink at all. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources classifies it as the state’s only representative of the spiny lizard family,
Physically, the differences from skinks are immediate. Instead of smooth, glossy scales,
Sizing runs a bit smaller than the largest skinks.
Habitat preference centers on structure more than moisture.
Diet consists mainly of small invertebrates.
Pro Tip: Eastern fence lizards are most active during cooler morning hours before summer heat sets in, so early hikes along wooded trails offer the best odds of a sighting.
One threat to this species comes from an unexpected source.
Males and females look noticeably different once they reach adulthood.
Across all four species, one theme holds true: Maryland’s lizards are shy, harmless, and easy to overlook unless you know where to look. None of the state’s native or introduced species pose any danger to people, though, as with any wild reptile, washing your hands after handling one is good practice since
For readers who want to compare Maryland’s modest four-to-seven species against far more diverse lizard faunas, states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona host dozens of species adapted to warmer climates. Those curious about keeping reptiles rather than just observing them in the wild can also explore guides to popular pet reptile species before considering captive care.
Spotting any of these four species takes patience more than luck. Check rotting logs, loose bark, and sun-warmed rocks in early morning or late afternoon, and resist the urge to handle what you find. Maryland’s skinks and fence lizards have survived here for thousands of years without help from curious hikers, and they’ll keep doing so as long as their forest and rocky-slope habitats remain intact.