The ONLY Type of Lizard Found in Michigan! (ID Guide)
“What kinds of lizards can you find in Michigan?”
I was amazed by the number of lizards in the United States – well over 150 species! Some species live only in a small area, and some are widespread over hundreds of miles.
Today, you’ll learn about the ONLY lizard in Michigan.
#1. Common Five-Lined Skink
- Plestiodon fasciatus
Identifying Characteristics:
- Adults are up to 8.75 inches long.
- 5 stripes are most apparent in hatchlings and fade as the skinks grow.
- Males have orange-red coloring on the jaw during the breeding season.
- Hatchlings are black with light stripes. The black coloring often fades to gray, and the lighter stripes darken.
Look for Common Five-Lined Skinks in Michigan in wooded areas near rotting stumps, outcrops of rock, and sometimes piles of boards or sawdust. Its diet consists of spiders, beetles, crickets, and other insects.
Credit: Virginia Herpetological Society
Females attend to their eggs throughout the incubation period.
They spend almost all of their time defending and caring for the eggs until they hatch!
If you happen to come across a nest, you may notice the mother curled up on top of or around the eggs. She also rolls the eggs to maintain their humidity, moves them back to the nest if they become disturbed, and even eats eggs that aren’t viable!
Do you need additional help identifying lizards?
Try this field guide!
Which of these lizards have you seen in Michigan?
Leave a comment below!
Also, if you enjoy this article, make sure to check out these other guides!
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10 FROGS Found in Michigan! (ID Guide)
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9 Types of TURTLES in Michigan! (Both aquatic and land)
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14 Kinds of SNAKES That Live in Michigan! (Includes venomous species)
