What Type of Lizards Live in West Tennessee?

Tennessee's warm climate makes it a suitable home for a number of different reptile species, including snakes, turtles, frogs, toads and lizards. None of the lizard species found in the state of Tennessee are venomous or large enough to be dangerous to humans. There are nine species of true lizards found in Tennessee -- most in south or central Tennessee, but some in west Tennessee.

  1. Eastern Fence Lizard

    • The eastern fence lizard, Sceloporus undulatus, is a small, spiky-looking lizard that is easily identified by brilliant blue markings on the underside of its neck and belly. The back of the eastern fence lizard is a mixture of brown, tan and gray stripes. The eastern fence lizard grows to a maximum length of 7 inches, and it is found at forest edges in western Tennessee and most of the rest of Tennessee, except for the state's easternmost and southernmost points.

    Northern Fence Lizard

    • The northern fence lizard is found throughout Tennessee, including west Tennessee. The northern fence lizard is a subspecies of the eastern fence lizard -- Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus. It has the same brilliant blue markings on its underside, but is found in more northern areas than the eastern fence lizard.

    Green Anole

    • The green anole is a common small, fast-moving lizard native to warmer regions of North and Central America, including Tennessee. The green anole is normally bright green in coloration but can change its color to brown for camouflage. People have photographed green anoles in west Tennessee, according to the Atlas of Reptiles in Tennessee, but the green anole is more commonly found in central and eastern Tennessee. The green anole is an arboreal lizard and is often found on tree trunks, in rotting wood piles or on the ground.

    Skinks

    • There are four species of skink native to Tennessee. They are the broad-headed skink, the common five-lined skink, the little brown skink and the coal skink.

      The broad-headed skink is found all over Tennessee, including west Tennessee. The coal skink is only found in western Tennessee, although according to the Austin Peay University's website they have been reported in eastern Tennessee. The little brown skink is found throughout the state but has more concentrated population in northwest and southwest Tennessee.