Description: These fast-moving medium sized lizards range from 6-10 ½” as adults. They are rather vividly colored with six yellow to tan stripes running longitudinally down the dorsum, on a pale gray, olive, or black background color. Adult males usually have a blue belly from the lower jaw extending to the tail. Belly scales are very small, having the texture of velvet. Juveniles have the color and pattern of adults, but are usually 1 ¼” snout to vent length at hatching, with a blue tail.

Habitat: Six-lined racerunners inhabit well-drained upland sites, preferring loose soil or sand. They like open fields, natural openings, or disturbed areas that allow for sun-bathing and foraging for insects. They can often be found in cutover, highway right-of-ways, or early successional sites, and even rock outcrops.

Range: This is the only species of racerunner found east of the Mississippi River. They are found from Maryland south to Florida, extending west from Texas to Missouri. In Alabama, they are located statewide in suitable habitat.

Found in these States: AL | FL | GA | KS | LA | MD | MS | NC | OK | SC | TN | TX | VA |

Diet: This species of lizard relies on sight to hunt small insects, arachnids, other reptiles, and occasionally, even mammals. They are voracious predators that hunt during day light hours.

Reproduction: Females excavate small burrows in which to lay one to five white eggs, often laying two to three clutches per season. The female takes no special care of the eggs or young.

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of the wide range, large and probably relatively stable extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size. No major threats are known.

Taxonomy: