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Michigan Lizards: Identification Guide With Pictures

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. All 2 lizards
  2. How to report
  3. What official sources say
  4. About this list
  5. Sources

This page lists 2 lizards: 1 from Michigan Department of Natural Resources's Michigan lizard species and 1 named in other official sources.

All 2 lizards

From A to Z.

No confirmed photo of Five-lined Skink

Five-lined Skink

Non-venomous per Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Where in Michigan
Upper Peninsula (listed in the DNR/MSU Extension Upper Peninsula list; statewide range not stated by a source read) Michigan DNR and MSU Extension
What the sources say

Venom: “Salamanders and lizards are harmless to humans. Lizards, like any wild animal, may bite to protect themselves.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

Six-lined Racerunner
Photo: Jade Fortnash · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Six-lined Racerunner

Aspidoscelis sexlineatus

Non-venomous per Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Where in Michigan
In Michigan, the six-lined racerunner is known from a single disjunct popu- lation in Tuscola County. MSU Extension
Conservation
state threatened
What the sources say

Venom: “Salamanders and lizards are harmless to humans. Lizards, like any wild animal, may bite to protect themselves.” (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

How to report

Report poaching or harassment of massasaugas to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline, 800-292-7800. Report spotted lanternfly outside confirmed counties, gray fox and other sightings through the DNR/State 'Eyes in the Field' online tool. Report reptile/amphibian sightings to the Michigan Herp Atlas. Michigan Department of Natural Resources

What official sources say

Are there lizards in Michigan?

Yes. DNR lists two: Five-lined Skink and Six-lined Racerunner (state threatened; one known population in Tuscola County per MNFI). DNR says lizards are harmless to humans. Michigan Department of Natural Resources

“Michigan lizard species Five-lined skink Six-lined racerunner”

About this list

The species list comes from Michigan lizard species (Michigan DNR: Lizards and salamanders) (Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Internet Archive capture 2026-06-15). 1 more entry comes from other official sources named on each card.

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

Sources

  1. When encountering Michigan's snakes, best to leave them be. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. May 31, 2016; checked November 3, 2026.
  2. Lizards and salamanders (Michigan DNR species page). Michigan Department of Natural Resources. archived copy, captured June 15, 2026; checked November 3, 2026. Archived copy.
    Quoted passages (2)
    “Salamanders and lizards are harmless to humans. Lizards, like any wild animal, may bite to protect themselves.”
    “Michigan lizard species Five-lined skink Six-lined racerunner”
  3. Vertebrate Wildlife Species of the Upper Peninsula: A Tentative List Compiled by the Michigan DNR and MSU Extension. Michigan DNR and MSU Extension (MSU Upper Peninsula Forestry Extension Office). MSU Upper Peninsula Forestry Extension Office 4/2000; checked November 3, 2026.
  4. Species Abstract for Aspidoscelis sexlineatus (Six-lined racerunner). Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MSU Extension). Boyer and Lee 2026, Species Abstract; checked November 3, 2026.
  5. DNR urges public to give eastern massasauga rattlesnake its space. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. August 6, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “…call the RAP (Report All Poaching) hotline immediately at 800-292-7800”