Florida is home to a diverse population of small lizards, which are frequently encountered in both natural and urban environments. These reptiles are generally defined as species whose adult total length is under six inches. Understanding the differences between the most common species allows residents and visitors to accurately identify the small creatures they see scurrying across sidewalks and climbing walls. This guide provides clear identification markers for the most visible lizard residents in the state.
Florida’s Most Common Residents: The Anoles
The most frequently observed small lizards belong to the Anolis genus, with two species dominating the landscape: the native Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) and the invasive Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). The native Green Anole is the only anole species native to the United States and can change color from a vibrant emerald green to a dull brown. This color change is a response to temperature, mood, or stress, which often leads to the lizard being mistakenly called a chameleon.
A key identification feature for the male Green Anole is its dewlap, a throat fan displayed during territorial disputes and courtship, which is typically a solid pink or red. The Brown Anole has largely displaced its green cousin from lower perches and ground habitats. This species is always a shade of brown or gray and lacks the ability to turn green, though it may lighten or darken its brown tone.
Male Brown Anoles display a dewlap that is orange with a yellow or white border, offering a clear distinction from the native species. Unlike the Green Anole, which is more slender and often found higher in trees, the Brown Anole has a more robust body and a shorter snout. In areas where both species coexist, the native Green Anole has adapted by shifting its habitat to higher, thinner branches to avoid direct competition with the aggressive invader.
Nighttime Visitors and Ground Dwellers
The Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia) is a non-native species that is primarily nocturnal and often spotted near porch lights. These geckos are easily identified by their large eyes with vertical pupils and their unique toe pads. These pads allow them to adhere to smooth vertical surfaces, such as glass windows.
The Common House Gecko has translucent skin and is one of the few lizards capable of vocalizing, often emitting a distinct series of chirps or clicks. In contrast to these vertical climbers, skinks are ground-dwelling lizards often mistaken for snakes due to their elongated bodies and short legs. The Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis) is a tiny, secretive species that rarely exceeds five inches in total length.
Ground Skinks prefer to live in leaf litter and are characterized by their smooth, shiny scales and a dark stripe running along their sides. Another group, the Mole Skinks (Plestiodon spp.), are known for their semi-fossorial (burrowing) habits in loose soil and sand. Some Mole Skinks are identifiable by a striking red or orange tail, a color that may serve to distract predators from the lizard’s body.
Understanding Established Non-Native Species
Florida’s subtropical climate has allowed several non-native lizard species to establish successful populations. While the Brown Anole is the most widespread, the Northern Curly-Tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus) is a larger, highly visible invasive species found predominantly in the southern and central parts of the state. These lizards are distinguished by their stout bodies, keeled scales, and their habit of carrying their tail curled conspicuously over their back.
The Curly-Tailed Lizard is a diurnal, ground-dwelling species that is often seen basking on open surfaces like sidewalks and driveways. Its aggressive foraging habits mean it consumes a wide variety of prey, including insects and occasionally other smaller lizards. The presence of these successful invaders exerts competitive pressure on native species by consuming similar food sources and preying on their juveniles.