The Insect Diet of Alabama Lizards


If you see lizards lurking around your yard think twice before you try to run them off. These non-threatening reptiles do a lot to balance out the ecosystem by acting as natural pest control technicians. Lizards can be especially helpful outdoors during the summer when insects are in abundance. Here is a look at the most common lizards in the state and what insects they eat.

Broad-Headed Skink

This large skink likes to slink around in moist areas. Don’t be surprised if you see one around a garden pond or sitting on a rotten log waiting for its next meal to walk by.

Diet: Variety of spiders and insects of all sizes

Brown Anole

Brown Anole lizards are all over Florida, but they can also be found in the southern most regions of Alabama.

Diet: In addition to eating the eggs of other Brown Anoles, these lizards also eat snails, slugs, worms and spiders.

Eastern Fence Lizard

The Eastern Fence Lizard is one of the most common lizards across Alabama. They like to bask in the sun and will usually run from people.

Diet: Stink bugs, moths, beetles, grasshoppers, ants and spiders

Eastern Glass Lizard

This is the most common glass lizard in the state. It has no legs and is usually thought to be a snake.

Diet: They mainly eat insects and spiders, especially those that are moving around. The Eastern Glass Lizard has also been known to eat other lizards, eggs, snails and small snakes. 

Eastern Slender Glass Lizard

The Eastern Slender Glass Lizard is fairly rare, but if you see it in Alabama you’ll probably mistake if for a snake. That’s because this lizard also has no legs. These guys hunt for food during the day and tend to live in open woodlands.

Diet: Variety of spiders and insects as well as other lizards, snakes and frogs.

Eastern Six-Lined Racerunner

Insects don’t stand a chance when this lizard is after them. These guys can be seen running around southern Alabama.

Diet: Spiders, insects and other reptiles

Five-Lined Skink

These reptiles have bright orange stripes down their backs, which make them stand out. The Five-Lined Skink is quite common just about everywhere in Alabama.

Diet: Snails as well as insects and their larvae including beetles, crickets, grasshoppers and spiders

Ground Skink

The Ground Skink looks like a bronzy black snake with legs. These neat looking lizards can be found in a wide variety of environments.

Diet: Isopods, spiders and all kinds of insects

Indo-Pacific Gecko

Like the Turkish House Gecko, the Indo-Pacific Gecko typically hunts at night, and they like to stay close to homes and structures.

Diet: Spiders and a variety of insects 

Northern Green Anole

There is a good chance you’ll spot a Northern Green Anole this summer since they stay close to homes and sit in the shade of gardens looking for their dinner.

Diet: Spiders, grubs and small insects 

Texas Horned Lizard

Hot, dry, sandy areas along the coast are the preferred habitat for the Texas Horned Lizard. You’ll usually see them around anthills because that is their favorite food.

Diet: Primarily ants but also beetles, spiders and grasshoppers 

Turkish/Mediterranean House Gecko

If you want to control insects that come out at night, this lizard is your new best friend. These small nocturnal hunters can usually be seen hanging out around porch lights after dark.

Diet: Mostly moths and small cockroaches

If there aren’t enough lizards to control the insect population around your house give Vulcan Termite & Pest Control, Inc. a call. For 50 years we have provided custom pest control treatments for customers in the Pelham, AL area.

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