Identification
The Six-lined Racerunner possesses six light stripes that extend from the eye
along the sides of its body. These stripes may range in color from pale blue,
grey, white or yellow. The top of the head, center line of the back, and top
of the limbs and tail are cinnamon brown to greyish or greenish brown, while
the sides appear slightly darker. The ventral surface, or belly, is generally
white, but in males it is blue. The tail of the Six-lined Racerunner is keeled
above and smooth below. The scales on the body are for the most part dull in
appearance, in contrast to those of a skink which appear shiny.
Distribution and Status
The Six-lined Racerunner is found along the east coast from Maryland to the
Florida Keys, southwest through eastern Texas and north through southeastern
Missouri (US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map). This species tends to be locally common, and in the Midwest, the
Six-lined Racerunner can be found in Indiana and Illinois.
Ecology
A sun-loving lizard, the Six-lined Racerunner can be found in drier open grassland
areas. In dreary situations, they hide out in burrows under rocks or logs, some
of which they dig themselves. These burrows also serve for hibernation. A very
quick lizard, they are named because of their ability to outrun humans attempting
to capture them.
Resources
General reference guides and websites.
Links to information on the Six-lined Racerunner outside the Herp Center
Illinois
Natural History Survey
Iowa
Herpetology
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499