Key to Families of Lizards
Choose the description that best fits the animal of interest. If none fit go back to
step one.
- A.
Lizard with body flattened and wider than neck, head with stubby spines but deep notch in back of
skull, single row of pointed scales forming fringe around side of body, generally less than 75 mm
body length.
- Phrynosomatidae
(Horned Lizard Family)
- B.
Lizard with distinct fold along side, indistinct crossbands on back or transverse blotches, dark
stripes along edges of belly scales, generally less than 30 cm total length.
- Anguidae (Anguid Lizard Family)
one species in Canada:
Elgaria coeruleus (Northern Alligator Lizard)
- C.
Slender lizard with smooth sleek scales, all species in Canada have longitudinal stripes down the
back, large adults may be uniform gray or brown in colour, juveniles have bold blue or gray tail.
- Scincidae (Skink Family)
- D.
Lizard with minute, bead-like round scales on back and flank (each scale less than 0.5 mm in diameter),
in combination with belly scales that are rectangular and comparatively large.
- Lacertidae - Wall Lizard Family
One species introduced on Vancouver Island:
Podarcis muralis (Common Wall Lizard)
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