North Carolina is home to 12 species of lizards (Order Squamata, Suborder Lacertilia), none of which are dangerous. Superficially, lizards and salamanders are similar in appearance, however lizards have scales and small claws at the ends of their toes, while salamanders do not. One group of lizards, the glass lizards (Ophisaurus spp.) are legless and thus resemble snakes. Snakes, however, lack the external ear openings and movable eyelids of these lizards.  Lizards can be very abundant in some areas but are often difficult to spot and even more difficult to capture. Because of their abundance, lizards play important roles in food chains and benefit humans by controlling insect populations.

Anoles (Family Polychrotidae)

Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)

Skinks (Family Scincidae)

Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)
Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus)
Broadheaded Skink (Eumeces laticeps)
Southeastern Five-lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus)
Coal Skink (Eumeces anthracinus
 

Whiptails (Family Teiidae)

Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus)

Glass Lizards (Family Anguidae)

Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus)
Mimic Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus)

Fence and Horned Lizards (Family Phrynosomatide)

Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)

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