Cobb County Extension Service
Horticulture
L~I~Z~A~R~D~S
(Suborder - Lacertilia)
Laurene Hall
Horticulture Program
Assistant
Lizards fall into the Class:
Reptilia, the Order: Squamata, and the Suborder:
Lacertilia. Lacertilia are well represented in
IDENTIFICATION
|
FAMILY |
|
Description |
Representative GA Species |
|
Anguidae
|
-
Represented by four
species of Glass Lizard in GA |
-
Snake-like appearance; but
they have external ear openings and moveable eyelids and snakes do not -
Tails are very long and
will break off quite easily if not handled carefully (hence the name) -
Bodies are stiff due to
bones (osteoderms) in their scales; a groove along the side of the
body allows it to expand when it becomes distended with food or eggs |
Species
Include Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) Island
Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus
compressus) Mimic
Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus mimicus) Eastern
Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) |
|
Gekkonidae
|
- This family is not native
to GA, but one species has become established by accidental introduction - Typically found on all
continents in temperate and tropical climates |
- Nocturnal habits - Lacking moveable eyelids,
which means they cannot blink - They have specialized toe
pads that allow them to walk on walls and ceilings |
Geckos are in GA
because of the pet trade or have arrived as stowaways in cargo shipped from
overseas |
|
Phrynosomatidae
|
- Contains a large group of terrestrial and semi-arboreal American
lizards - GA is home to one member
of this family |
- Majority of species is
covered with strongly keeled (having a ridge that runs
lengthwise) scales that make the scales rough, almost prickly in appearance
and touch - Gray or brown in color w/
irregular to wavy, black crossbands on the back; belly and throat are grayish
white, except that adult males have bright blue, black-bordered throat and
belly patches |
They are commonly
known as Horned Lizards and Spiny Lizards GA Species
include: Fence Lizard
(Sceloporus
undulates) |
|
Polychridae
|
-
This family is limited to
Anoles, which only occur in the western hemisphere. This is a very diverse
group with 10 genera and over 650 species |
- Slender arboreal lizards
characterized by the brightly colored, extendible flap of skin on the male’s
throat a dewlap; the dewlap is used to communicate during courtship
and territorial display |
Species include: Green
Anole
(Anolis carolinensis) Brown
Anole (Anolis
sagrei) |
|
Scincidae
|
-
One of the most common
lizards in the eastern -
This family is limited to
Skinks, which occur on continents in temperate and tropical climates
 |
- Family is characterized by
smooth, shiny scales that cover the body, and tails that break off easily (*
Skinks use their tail-breaking ability as a mechanism for escape from
predators) - Medium-sized ranging from
4 – 8 in total length; Most active during the day - Color: Juveniles have five
long, yellowish or white stripes against a black background and a bright blue
tail; Females mature and stripes become lighter while the tail becomes gray; - Adult males are plain tan
to bronze, with very pale stripes; males have orangish-red heads and jowls,
which are especially bright in the spring breeding season |
* There are two genera and six species in GA: Coal Skink (Eumeces anthracinus) Broadhead
Skink (Eumeces
laticeps) |
|
Teiidae
|
- This family is found only
in the - These diurnal (active
during the day) lizards are commonly seen darting about in open areas in
search of insect prey |
- Adults range in size from 3 - 7 in. in total length; slender terrestrials w/ belly scales that are larger than the scales on their back and sides -
Has six yellow, white, pale gray, or pale blue
stripes on the back and sides; the ground color ranges from brown, greenish
brown, to almost black - there is a short dark stripe, bordered above by a
light stripe on the sides of the tail |
Only
one genus and species occurs east of the Six-lined
Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus)
* The Racerunner occurs throughout GA, but is very uncommon and local
in the mountains of northern GA |
There is one other Suborder under the Order:
Squamata and that is the Suborder: Amphisbaenia (Worm
Lizards 1). About 150 members of the
Suborder Amphisbaenia occur in Central and
The Rhineuridae family is our only representative. Its
only member is the Florida Worm Lizard (Rhineura floridana). Also called
the Shovelnose Worm Lizard, it is adapted for living and burrowing in loose
sandy soils. Despite its common names, this is not a true lizard. It has no
distinct head, no legs, no external ear openings, and no functional eyes. The
snake-like body form is covered with rings of scales that produce a segmented
appearance.
HABITAT AND BEHAVIOR
Lizards
are mostly active in the spring and fall months, but can be found basking
(soaking up sunlight) in patches of sunlight on warm winter days. Breeding
takes place in the spring (during the months of April to August), and the
female can lay from 4 – 14 eggs in late spring or early summer. Females may
produce from two to three clutches of eggs per year. Eggs are placed under
cover such as rotting logs, old sawdust piles, old stumps, rocks or in deep cavities.
The female remains with the eggs to guard them from potential predators. After
an incubation period of about 4 – 6 weeks, the egg hatching can begin from late
May through early October. Hatchlings average about 2 – 3 in. in total length.
Some lizards are arboreal, meaning they prefer open hardwood forests, forest
edges, and cut-over woodlands. Other preferred natural habitats are mesic
(moist or wet) forests with brushy clearings and forest edges that have an
established shrub layer or vine tangles. They especially like areas with
abundant rocks, fallen logs, or dead tree snags that provide excellent places
for this lizard to bask (rest in sunlight in order to absorb the sun's energy
and warmth) and forage. They are commonly seen on or around homes and other
buildings or structures, taking advantage of exposed elevated surfaces on which
to bask and forage for food. The diet of lizards can include a variety of
insects such as spiders, snails, moths, crickets, beetles, flies, grasshoppers,
and butterflies. There are even some species of lizards that will eat other
lizards. Additional predators of lizards include snakes and predatory birds.
DAMAGE
Too often lizards have
been overlooked as valuable contributors to the environment. Because they
primarily feed on insects and other small invertebrates, they are extremely
important to humans as natural pest controls. Furthermore, lizards play an
important role in the survival of many larger lizards, birds, mammals, and
snakes since they are a food source for these predatory animals.
The only problems they
tend to pose occur when they are unwittingly caught on porches or when they get
into homes. Lizards are small and often
fast runners, which makes catching them difficult. Some species of lizards
burrow in the soil to lay eggs or find shelter, but they cause minimal damage
to tender plantings in this manner.
MANAGEMENT
OPTIONS
Control is only necessary if they pose a direct risk
to human, or domestic animals, which they RARELY DO. Lizards are not harmful.
There are no poisonous lizards in
In general, if you are looking for a fight, a lizard
will be your least likely adversary. Lizards will usually avoid the
confrontation. He will release a part or all of its tail when it is grabbed by
a predator. Once the tail is broken off, the lizard quickly runs for shelter
and is safe for the moment, leaving a squirming tail to confuse or distract the
predator. A lizard's tail has special muscles that constrict at a break point
and prevent any blood loss. After it loses a tail, a "new" one will
eventually grow back, but it will not be as colorful or elegant as the
original. It may take three or four months to grow the replacement.
Control includes removing
their food and shelter and trapping them. Remove whatever they are hiding
under. Clean areas where they are prone
to inhabit such as debris and brush piles.
Keep areas of dense foliage away from homes. Glue traps provide some
control of lizards. Place the sticky
traps in areas where you have seen droppings or where they run. When they step
in it, they will be caught; however, they will still have to be dispatched when
you find them. Exclude lizards from your home by thoroughly sealing cracks and
crevices into which their little bodies can squeeze.
There
are no known repellants or toxicants.
Use insecticides to remove their food source. The best idea is to learn
to live with them, if possible.
SOURCES
“Warm season pests are among us”
Willie
Chance – Houston County Extension Office Web site, UGA
http://www.griffin.uga.edu/ga/houston/hg990912.html
Pictures