Lizard Pictures

Types of Lizards United States Lizards Alligator Lizard Chuckwalla Clark's Spiny Lizard Desert Spiny Lizard Gila Monster Green Anole Rosebelly Lizard Side-blotched Lizard Tree Lizard Western Fence Lizard Whiptail Lizards Zebra-tailed Lizard Non-native Lizards Frilled Lizard Geckos Iguana Komodo Dragon Plumed Basilisk Red-headed Agama Rock Lizard Skinks Types of Lizards

Lizards are commonly characterized as the four legged members of the reptile family.

With the exception of the legless lizards, that statement rings true. Skinks, geckos, spiny lizards, iguanas and anoles are among the most common lizards found in the United States.

Like all reptiles, lizards are cold blooded. They can often be seen, and photographed basking in the sun, their primary means for regulating body temperature. Because they are cold blooded, most species that live in northern climates also hibernate during the cold winter season.

With the exception of Alaska, lizards are native to every state in the United States. Most lizards in the United States call the Desert Southwest, east through Texas, home. Florida also has a large number of lizard species, however many of them are non-native species.

The links in the box on the left point to a representative sample of common West Coast, Southwest and Texas lizards. A couple of non-native lizards are also included.

The listed native lizard species weigh heavily to spiny lizards, members of the Sceloporus genus: Clark's; Desert; Rosebelly; and Western Fence lizard. Three separate species of Whiptails (genus Cnemidophorus), are presented on one page.

The remaining native lizard species, Chuckwalla, Gila Monster, Green Anole and Tree Lizard, are representative of a single genera or family.

© 2007-2008 Patricia A. Michaels