Lizards come in all shapes and sizes, but some are downright adorable! In this post, we’ll look at 10 of the cutest lizard species that will make you say, “aww!”. From tiny geckos to armoured skinks, these little reptiles will surely put a smile on your face.
Red-eyed Crocodile Skink
This skink looks like a baby crocodile! With its green scales, striped tail, and bright red eyes, it’s easy to see how the red-eyed crocodile skink got its name. These skinks are found in New Guinea and grow to around 8 inches long.
Despite their fierce appearance, red-eyed crocodile skinks are quite docile. They make great pets as they are easy to care for and tolerate handling well. Just look at those big red eyes – how could you not fall in love with this little lizard?
Leopard Gecko
Next up is the leopard gecko, one of the most popular pet lizards. These geckos are named after their spotted skin, which resembles a leopard’s coat. They come in various colours like yellow, orange, and even albino.
Leopard geckos are native to Asia but are now commonly bred as pets. They reach 6-10 inches long and have a stocky build with short legs and a wide head. These geckos are nocturnal and have lidless eyes with vertical pupils.
Leopard geckos make fantastic beginner pets as they are low maintenance and live 10+ years. Their docile nature and cute faces have made them a favourite among lizard enthusiasts.
Nano Chameleon
The nano chameleon definitely lives up to its name – it’s one of the smallest chameleon species in the world! These tiny lizards reach just 1.1 inches in length as adults. They are found in the tropical forests of Madagascar.
Due to their extremely small size, nano chameleons are very delicate. But their charming appearance makes up for the extra care they need. They come in shades of green, brown, and orange with hints of blue or red. Like other chameleons, they can change colour and have grasping hands and feet.
For experienced owners only, the nano chameleon’s pint-sized body is irresistibly cute. Just make sure they don’t get lost!
Crested Gecko
Native to New Caledonia, the crested gecko is a favourite exotic pet. What makes this gecko so cute? Its large head, big eyes, and soft, fuzzy skin flaps running down its back called a crest. The crest is especially prominent when it feels threatened or during mating season.
Crested geckos grow around 8-10 inches long and live 10-20 years in captivity. Their ground colour can be yellow, orange, red, grey, or black, with a pattern of spots and stripes. Like the leopard gecko, the crested gecko is nocturnal and has lidless eyes.
Handled gently, crested geckos will tolerate human interaction. Their gentle nature and undeniably adorable appearance make them one of the cutest geckos.
Armadillo Lizard
Here’s a lizard that looks like it’s wearing armour! The armadillo lizard gets its name from the thick, plated scales covering its body. This gives it a tough appearance, but they are very docile lizards.
These lizards live in desert regions of southern Africa. They have short legs and reach 5-8 inches long. Armadillo lizards use their armoured bodies for burrowing and curling into tight balls when threatened.
The armadillo lizard’s dragon-like appearance is offset by its small size and habit of readily taking food from your fingers. If you want a cute lizard pet that looks like a mini dragon, the Armadillo lizard is a great choice.
Madagascar Day Gecko
Known for their bright colours and happy expressions, Madagascar day geckos are little bundles of fun. Unlike many geckos, these lizards are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day.
Madagascar day geckos reach 5-8 inches long and live 3-5 years. They have large oval heads and fat tails. The most distinctive feature of this gecko is its bulging eyes and mouth, which makes it look like it’s smiling!
These geckos come in spectacular colours like green, blue, orange, red and yellow. Some are multicoloured or have striking patterns. The Madagascar day gecko’s vibrant colours and cheerful appearance make it one of the cutest lizards.
Peninsula Moles Skink
The Peninsula moles skink belongs on this list thanks to its adorably tiny size and pink worm-like appearance. It lives in parts of Australia where it burrows underground using its pointy snout and strong front legs.
Fully grown, this skink reaches just 2-3 inches long. It has a cylindrical, limbless body like a worm and tiny vestigial hind legs. The Peninsula moles skink is rarely seen above ground and lives most of its life underground.
Though tricky to find and observe, the mole skink’s tiny pink body and mole-like lifestyle earn it a spot as one of the most endearing lizards out there.
Common House Gecko
If you live in a warm climate, you’ve probably seen these little wall crawlers. The common house gecko is native to Asia but has spread worldwide as an introduced species. These geckos live around human homes and buildings.
Growing to around 4-6 inches long, the common house gecko has lidless eyes with vertical pupils, sticky toe pads, and a mottled skin colour that provides camouflage. They are nocturnal and come out at night to hunt insects.
The common house gecko’s willingness to share our homes makes them a cute addition, even if they can’t be handled like other pet geckos.
Thorny Devil
Here’s a contender for the weirdest yet most adorable lizard – the thorny devil! Native to Australia, everything about this lizard’s appearance says “Don’t touch”, yet it looks like it’s smiling.
Thorny devils reach 5-8 inches long. Their entire upper body is covered in spikes and thorns, giving them one of the best defences in the lizard world. These spines help camouflage the thorny devil in scrubland habitat.
Despite their fearsome looks, thorny devils are harmless. They even have a funny way of walking, thanks to their short, spiky legs. With a goofy grin and kicks of its legs, the thorny devil is too cute not to love!
Mexican Alligator Lizard
Last but not least is the Mexican alligator lizard, a captive-bred lizard gaining popularity as an exotic pet. It earns the name “alligator lizard” from its ridged, armour-like scales and squat body.
Mexican alligator lizards reach 18-24 inches long. They come in colours like red, orange, yellow and black, often with banding patterns. Like many lizards, they can drop their tails when threatened. The tail regrows over time, though never as long as the original.
Though they resemble miniature alligators, Mexican alligator lizards are completely harmless. Their prehistoric appearance and friendly nature when raised in captivity make them an increasingly popular and undeniably cute pet.