Florida’s warm, humid climate makes it a perfect home for a vast number of small lizards, making them a constant presence around homes and gardens. Observing these tiny reptiles scurrying across a patio or climbing a palm tree is common for residents and visitors alike. Understanding the differences between these common sightings helps in identifying the species and appreciating their unique roles in the local environment.
The Ubiquitous Anoles
Two species of the Anolis genus dominate the landscape: the native Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) and the invasive Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). The Green Anole is easily recognized by its ability to change color from bright green to mottled brown or gray, often based on mood or temperature. This species has a smooth skin texture and a prominent pink or reddish dewlap, a flap of skin males display from their throat for territorial or courtship purposes.
The Brown Anole has become the most populous lizard in many urban areas of Florida, often seen on the ground or on lower walls. Unlike its native cousin, the Brown Anole maintains a stable brown, gray, or reddish coloration and cannot turn green. Its skin is noticeably rougher, featuring keeled scales along its back, and males display an orange dewlap. The introduction of this invasive species has led to a competitive displacement dynamic, forcing the native Green Anole to shift its habitat vertically higher into trees and shrubs.
Other Common Sightings Geckos and Skinks
Geckos and skinks are two other groups of small lizards commonly sighted in Florida. Geckos are primarily nocturnal, active at night, which differs from the sun-loving anoles. The Common House Gecko or the Mediterranean House Gecko are often seen near exterior lights, hunting insects drawn to the illumination.
Geckos are notable for their translucent appearance and unique toe pads, which allow them to cling to smooth surfaces like glass windows and painted walls. These specialized pads give them a distinct advantage in climbing compared to the anoles. Skinks, such as the Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus), are terrestrial, preferring to move on the ground, under logs, or through leaf litter. They have a sleek, elongated body with exceptionally smooth, glossy scales that give them a snake-like appearance.
Young skinks are identified by their vivid, bright blue tail, which serves to distract predators. As they mature, the blue coloration fades, and the adults become a uniform brown or olive color with faint stripes. Skinks are quick and often difficult to spot as they dart from cover to cover in Florida gardens.
Safety Concerns and Ecological Role
The small lizards found in Florida are harmless to humans and pets, as no species is venomous. Any potential bite from an anole or gecko is a defensive reaction, but their teeth are too small to break human skin. Handling these reptiles is discouraged, as they may detach their tail as a defense mechanism, a process called autotomy.
These lizards play a beneficial role in the local ecosystem by acting as natural pest controllers. Their diet is insectivorous, consisting of crickets, flies, spiders, beetles, and small cockroaches. By consuming vast numbers of these invertebrates, they help keep insect populations balanced in yards and gardens, providing a free and constant form of biological control against common household pests.