Six-Lined Racerunner
Aspidoscelis sexlineata
The Six-Lined Racerunner is a fast, striped native lizard of Florida’s sunny sandhills, scrub, dunes, and open woodland.
Six-Lined Racerunners thrive in open, sunny Florida habitats with loose soil and scattered cover. They need warm ground temperatures for active hunting.
Dense shade and loss of open sandy areas reduce suitable habitat. Florida-friendly landscapes with sunny edges and limited pesticide use support their prey.
Habitat:
Beaches and Dunes, Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie, Forests and Woodlands
Area / Range:
Florida Panhandle, North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida
Diet:
They actively hunt insects, spiders, grasshoppers, beetles, and other small invertebrates.
Behavior:
Racerunners forage in quick bursts during hot daylight hours and retreat into leaf litter, vegetation, or shallow burrows when threatened.
Day
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Late morning through afternoon on warm sunny days in sandy open areas and along trail edges.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Native and generally secure, though local populations depend on open sandy habitat and appropriate land management.
Safety Level:
Harmless
Safety Information:
Observe without handling. Keep cats indoors and reduce broad-spectrum pesticide use near sunny ground habitat.
Benefits to Property:
They consume many insects and spiders without damaging lawns, gardens, or buildings.
Property Concerns:
They cause no meaningful property damage. Pets may chase or injure them.
Fun Fact:
It is among the fastest North American lizards and often disappears into cover before an observer gets close.
Wildlife Laws:
The Six-Lined Racerunner is native wildlife. Avoid capture, collection, or harm and follow current Florida rules regarding native reptiles.
Identification:
A slender brown or black back carries six pale yellow or cream stripes. The tail is very long, and breeding males may develop blue or turquoise on the throat and belly.
Credits:
Facts and images: Maryland Biodiversity Project species account and Florida lizard overview.