Florida, celebrated for its vibrant ecosystems, hosts a diverse population of lizards. These reptiles are an integral part of the state’s natural landscape, contributing to the complex web of life. Lizards occupy various niches, from sun-drenched beaches to dense forests. Understanding which creatures are native helps appreciate Florida’s natural heritage.
Understanding Native Species in Florida
A native species occurs naturally in a specific region without human introduction. These species evolve within their local environment, adapting to climate, soil, and other native organisms over extended periods. In Florida, recognizing native species is important for ecological balance and preserving the state’s unique biodiversity.
Native species are well-adapted to local conditions, requiring less intervention like water or fertilizer. They contribute to ecosystem health, supporting local wildlife and enhancing the natural environment’s resilience.
Prominent Native Lizard Species
Florida is home to several distinct native lizard species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. These reptiles are often encountered across various habitats.
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a native Florida lizard known for its ability to change color from bright green to brown. This change is influenced by temperature, humidity, and mood. Green anoles measure five to eight inches, with a slender body, narrow head, and long, thin tail. They are found in humid environments like swamps, forests, and wooded beaches, often basking on trees, shrubs, and fences.
Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi)
The Florida Scrub Lizard (Sceloporus woodi) is a small, spiny lizard, gray or gray-brown, reaching about five inches. A distinct thick brown stripe runs along each side of its body from neck to tail base. Males display bright turquoise patches on their bellies and black throats with small turquoise spots, absent in females. These lizards specialize in dry, upland habitats like sand pine scrub and oak scrub, requiring sunny areas with bare sand for foraging and basking. They forage on the ground, perch on tree trunks, and are active year-round.
Six-Lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata)
The Six-Lined Racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) is a slender, fast-moving lizard, dark green, brown, or black, distinguished by six bright yellow or green-yellow stripes from head to tail. Juveniles often have bright blue tails, while adult males may have a pale blue underside. These lizards are found in undeveloped, dry habitats across Florida, including coastal dunes, grasslands, and woodlands. They are diurnal and insectivorous, known for their speed, darting away at up to 18 miles per hour when approached.
Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis)
The Ground Skink (Scincella lateralis) is a small, slender lizard, golden brown to coppery brown, with a darker stripe along each side of its body. They have short legs, long tails, and a whitish or yellowish belly. Ground skinks are primarily terrestrial, inhabiting leaf litter in hardwood and mixed forests, preferring loose soils and plant materials. They are adept at “swimming” through leaves and loose soil with wiggling movements and do not climb trees.
Broadhead Skink (Plestiodon laticeps)
The Broadhead Skink (Plestiodon laticeps) is one of the larger native skinks, with adults reaching up to 13 inches. Juveniles and females have five to seven white or yellowish stripes on a brown to black body, often with vibrant blue tails. As males mature, they become uniform brown, losing stripes, and develop enlarged, orange to red heads, prominent during the spring breeding season. These skinks are arboreal, preferring open forest habitats with hollow trees or rotting stumps for shelter and nesting. They are active foragers, preying on insects and other invertebrates found in leaf litter or under logs.
Differentiating Native from Non-Native Lizards
Distinguishing native Florida lizards from introduced species can be challenging due to similar appearances and overlapping habitats. Florida has many non-native lizard species, often introduced through the pet trade or as stowaways.
A key distinction lies in the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) versus the Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). While green anoles are native and can change from green to brown, brown anoles are brown or gray and cannot turn green. Brown anoles often have patterned skin and a dark stripe down their back; green anoles have more uniformly colored skin and a longer snout. Their dewlap, a throat fan, also differs: green anoles have a pink dewlap, while brown anoles display a red-orange dewlap with a yellow border. Brown anoles tend to occupy lower vegetation and ground levels, while green anoles often move to higher perches in trees and shrubs.
Other common non-native lizards include the Green Iguana (four to six feet), and the Northern Curly-tailed Lizard, identifiable by its gray to tan body and curled tail. Cuban Knight Anoles are another large, non-native species, bright green, that prey on smaller lizards. Observing size, specific color patterns, head shape, and preferred vertical habitat helps differentiate between native and non-native species.
Ecological Significance and Conservation
Native lizards play an important role within Florida’s ecosystems, contributing to ecological balance. They serve as natural pest controllers, consuming insects and other small invertebrates. This dietary habit helps regulate insect populations, benefiting plant communities.
Lizards also form an integral part of the food web, acting as a food source for larger predators like birds, snakes, and other mammals. Some species contribute to seed dispersal by consuming fruits and excreting seeds, aiding plant propagation and biodiversity. Maintaining healthy populations of native lizards is important for sustaining the biodiversity and intricate dynamics of Florida’s natural environments.