Florida’s warm, humid climate provides a welcoming environment for a diverse array of small lizards. These agile reptiles are a common sight across the state, inhabiting various niches from suburban gardens to natural woodlands. They are often noticed darting across pathways or basking on sun-drenched surfaces.
Common Small Lizards of Florida
Among the most frequently encountered small lizards in Florida is the green anole (Anolis carolinensis), the state’s only native anole species. This slender lizard typically measures between five and eight inches. While its name suggests a green coloration, the green anole can swiftly change its hue to various shades of brown, gray, or even pale yellow depending on its mood, temperature, or surroundings.
Another prevalent species, often mistaken for the native green anole, is the brown anole (Anolis sagrei), an invasive species from Cuba and the Bahamas. These lizards are generally sturdier than green anoles, with a blockier head and rougher, keeled scales. Brown anoles exhibit a range of brown or gray tones, sometimes with darker patterns like chevrons, but are never truly green.
Florida is also home to several species of skinks, recognized by their smooth, shiny scales and streamlined bodies. The southeastern five-lined skink (Plestiodon inexpectatus) is a moderately sized lizard, often exhibiting five light stripes on a darker background, running from its head to its tail. Juveniles of this species have bright blue tails, a color that typically fades as they mature.
Smaller still is the ground skink (Scincella lateralis), a very slender lizard that rarely exceeds five inches in length. These tiny reptiles are usually coppery brown with a distinct dark stripe running along each side of their body. Ground skinks are primarily terrestrial, preferring to scurry through leaf litter and rarely climbing vertical surfaces.
Adding to Florida’s lizard diversity is the Mediterranean gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), a nocturnal species established widely across the state. These geckos are small, typically four to five inches long, with translucent, pale pinkish-tan or grayish-white skin that often appears bumpy.
Key Identification Features
Distinguishing between Florida’s small lizards often relies on observing specific physical characteristics and behaviors. For anoles, the most telling feature is the dewlap, a retractable throat fan primarily displayed by males. Green anoles possess a pink or reddish dewlap, while brown anoles display an orange or yellowish dewlap. Green anoles also tend to have a more pointed snout and smoother scales compared to the brown anole’s blockier head and rougher texture.
Habitat preference can also offer clues: green anoles typically favor higher perches in trees and shrubs, whereas brown anoles are more commonly found on the ground or on lower branches. While green anoles can change color, brown anoles cannot turn green. Skinks, by contrast, are characterized by their sleek, smooth, and often iridescent scales. The bright blue tail of juvenile five-lined skinks is a noticeable identifier.
Mediterranean geckos are easily identified by their nocturnal activity, frequently seen clinging to walls near outdoor lights. Unlike anoles and skinks, geckos have large, lidless eyes with vertical pupils and specialized toe pads that allow them to climb smooth vertical surfaces with ease. Their skin often has a slightly warty or bumpy texture, further differentiating them from skinks.
Ecological Role and Status
Small lizards in Florida play a significant role in the ecosystem, primarily as insectivores that help control populations of various insects and other small invertebrates. They also serve as a food source for larger predators, including birds, snakes, and other reptiles.
However, the dynamics of Florida’s lizard populations have been significantly altered by the introduction of non-native species. The brown anole, for instance, arrived in Florida and has rapidly spread throughout the state, often outcompeting the native green anole for food and habitat.
The brown anole’s aggressive nature and higher reproductive rate have led to its dominance in many areas, pushing native green anoles to higher perches in the tree canopy to avoid direct competition. This shift in habitat use can impact the green anole’s access to resources and overall survival. The Mediterranean gecko is another invasive species that, while beneficial in consuming household pests, may compete with native insectivorous species.