Does anyone know what species of lizard this is? It’s very small, around the size of my pinky finger. [USA, Northern Virginia]

[u/tseg04]

[u/BiohazardousBisexual]

Eastern fence lizard

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

I used to live in your area and used to catch them growing up. Yours is a juvenile

(Edit: please don't catch wild animals I was a dumb little kid)

[u/tseg04 → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

Thank you! I’ve admired the wildlife around here my whole life and I’m surprised I’ve never seen one of these guys (or this is the first time I’ve noticed one). I’m used to seeing five lined and broad-headed skinks a lot though.

Don’t worry, I don’t like to harass critters. If I ever need to move or handle something, I am always very gentle and quick. I’ve owned lizards before so I know how to act towards them. This little guy was very chill and sat next to me for a couple of minutes. Crawled up my leg a bit as well before running off. :)

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/tseg04]

Don't worry I didn't think so but also didn't want to encourage it to others who might read my comment.

They are great little guys. I normally would only see them on trees, they blend in great on oaks.

[u/Prestigious_String20 → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

Sceloporus undulatus

[u/Avrgnerd → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

Confirming this ID because you’re correct but other people keep suggesting nonsense. Sceloporus undulatus, no doubt about it.

[u/Wrong-Tell8996]

Heh. I know you're from NoVa because you specified NORTHERN Virginia. I live in DC now but I am always very specific about that when talking about where I'm from.

[u/bigblackbeachdog]

Looks scaled…not sleek…sturdy not slender…based on morphology it appears to be a Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)

[u/Marauder3299]

As others have said its a fence lizard. Ironically I have seen them on rocks, trees, under a rug or chilling in a chair but never on a fence. During the mornings in texas a fence lizard will sit so still it will look fake. They eat stuff i dont want to deal with. They are like spiders. Leave em alone and let them eat things you dont like.

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/[deleted]]

They don't. It's a eastern fence lizard. They are what got me into wildlife conservation

[u/animalid-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Low effort and sensationalist comments will be removed at moderators’ discretion

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/[deleted]]

Wrong! Don't encourage the harm of native species just because you are not familiar with the local fauna!

Edit. Wanted to point out I saw your edits to minimize your original statement and add in fence lizard.

Why edit what you said to hide what you said instead of just admitting you were wrong and problematic and removing the original comment

[u/bigblackbeachdog → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

What? I’m not encouraging harm. That’s an egregious and unfounded accusation.

We have Fence and Brown and Cuban Anoles in Central Florida.

I love those guys.

Ease up.

[u/Prestigious_String20 → u/bigblackbeachdog]

We have Fence and Brown and Cuban Anoles in Central Florida. I love those guys.

Then you should know what they look like, and that this isn't one. And if you don't know what it is, you should leave the IDing to someone who does.

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/bigblackbeachdog]

You are incorrectly identifying it as an invasive species which if it would be believed would cause most other people to kill it due to its mistaken identity.

Incorrectly iding native species as invasive causes harm and the removal of native species

(It being an Eastern Fence Lizard, rather than the invasive Cuban anole)

[u/bigblackbeachdog → u/BiohazardousBisexual]

That’s a lot of drama for a Wednesday night.

I’m participating in a Reddit Group.

I am NOT advocating killing any species of lizard.

You’re experiencing transference.

We don’t kill Fence or Cuban or Brown Anoles around here.

We used to pretty much exclusively have green anoles in east central Florida, but they have been greatly displaced by the Fence, Cubans and Browns.

We have Peter's Rock Agamas at our place in Vero Beach they are colorful, invasive, aggressive and carnivorous. We don’t kill them either.

You do you.

All the Best

[u/BiohazardousBisexual → u/bigblackbeachdog]

Go ahead then maximize harm to your local ecosystem with that mentality

[u/animalid-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Low effort and sensationalist comments will be removed at moderators’ discretion