No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
About 6.5 to 12.75 inches in total length. Oklahoma gives about 12 inches for large adults and SREL up to 13 inches. Males are larger than females.
How to recognize it
Large, wide head; breeding males have swollen orange-red jowls.
Smooth, glass-like scales, short legs and a stocky body.
Upper-lip scales separate it from five-lined skinks: Maryland, Tennessee and North Carolina count five labial scales between the nostril and the eye rather than four. Oklahoma and Missouri count differently, around 8 or 9 in the full lip row.
Where in Maryland
This species is fairly common. They are found on the Coastal Plain of the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland … DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
93 records by month.What the sources say
Range: This species is fairly common. They are found on the Coastal Plain of the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland. Also rarely found along the Potomac Valley in Montgomery and Frederick Counties.
Habitat: A forest species. Extremely arboreal. It is generally restricted to the drier areas of low hills and knolls within woodlands, including the dry sandy ridges typically found along the eastern side of lower Eastern Shore rivers. (DNR)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
5 to 8.5 inches
How to recognize it
Smooth, shiny scales
Enlarged middle row of scales under the tail (separates it from the southeastern five-lined skink)
Tail breaks off easily and twitches to distract predators; it grows back shorter
Where in Maryland
Found throughout Maryland, although more common on the Coastal Plain. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
346 records by month.What the sources say
Habitat: Wooded areas, usually on the ground under rocks and rotting coarse woody debris. Microhabitat is usually moist. Primarily a terrestrial skink, rather than arboreal. This is the common skink of backyards and porches. (DNR)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
About 4 to 7.25 inches total length (SREL, Ohio DNR); Illinois gives up to about 19 cm (7.5 in).
How to recognize it
Rough, spiny, keeled scales: the only native lizard in North Carolina (and in Georgia and South Carolina) that looks rough or spiny
Often on fences, trees, logs, stumps, rocks and buildings; dashes up a tree and keeps to the far side when approached
Where in Maryland
Found throughout the forested areas of Maryland except Garrett County. DNR
JFMAMJJASOND
89 records by month.What the sources say
Habitat: A strictly arboreal species, it is relatively common in open dry, sandy woodlands, particularly pine woods. It is often found on rotting logs and stumps and or in backyards on rail fences. (DNR)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Maryland
Can be found in forests of the Coastal Plain of southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore. DNR
What the sources say
Habitat: Primarily in pine and hardwood forests where they are found on the forest floor among and under rotting logs and leaf litter. They prefer moist places, frequently occurring near streams. Occasionally found in fields and lawns. They seldom climb. (DNR)
NCWRC: broadhead skinks reach a much larger size. ODWC: juveniles can be told apart by counting the upper lip scales (five-lined: seven, with two post-labials; broad-headed: nine, with no post-labials).
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When lizards are active in Maryland
Records of lizards in Maryland peak in May to July. They show when people record lizards, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
545 records of lizards in Maryland by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
How to report
Nuisance, injured or sick wildlife: call toll-free in Maryland 1-877-463-6497 (USDA Wildlife Services, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except State holidays); from outside Maryland 410-349-8055. DNR
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