Living in the state of Florida is, for most people, a tremendously fun experience. The weather is amazing, the quality of entertainment is unique, and there is a rather wonderful energy in the air. However, for some people, one of the downsides is the sheer number of lizards in Florida. Despite being a wonderful place to raise a pet, if you do not like lizards you might find that Florida is simply too rich for your tastes.
Out of all of the various Floridian lizards, though, what are the most commonly found species?
Why do lizards live in Florida?
Many want to know why this state of all states seems to have a pretty big lizard populace. We can easily count ten commonly(ish) seen lizard species that hang around this part of the country. The main reason is that the weather conditions make it ideal as a native starting space for most lizard species.
Some fifteen species are native to the state, though you can easily find as many as fifty different lizard species around Florida. Some species are obviously more common than others, though, so try to keep that in mind when thinking about lizards in Florida. You aren’t going to be finding them en masse, but lizards are more common in this state than in other parts of the USA.
They are commonly found inside our homes, though, and that can be a bit of a problem. This means you can often have to try and chase it out or use some form of gambit to get them to leave. That is a problem for some, especially if you find lizards scary or intimidating in any way.
Can lizards be useful to my life in Florida?
One thing to note is that lizards are pretty good at chasing and hunting pests, insects, and other rodents that sniff around your home. This means they can be quite useful in getting rid of intruders who are not part of a lizard species. However, lizards are naturally larger and more threatening to a human than just about any breed of spider you will find in Florida.
So, while they can be useful, they still pose threats. And lizards can do more damage to your home than most other uninvited guests. They are also often prey for snakes and other bigger creatures, and their presence could attract these more fearsome, dangerous animals to your home.
With this in mind, then, which are the most common lizards in Florida? Who do you need to look out for?
The most common lizards in Florida
Florida Scrub Lizard
The first of the most common lizards in Florida that we wanted to include is the Florida Scrub. They are natives of the state and can be around 5.5” in size so they are not massive or domineering creatures. They are, though, very poor pets and should not be kept as a pet.
You can tell a Scrub due to the bright blue patch on their bodies; if the patches are not present or are very faint, it is likely a female Scrub.
Green Anole
The next smaller lizard on our list would be the Green Anole. These are notable for their rich and vibrant keen outer color scheme paired with a thick, bulbous red section around their throats. They are typically good pets, though, and can be around for as long as 8 years so they could make a decent little choice for a first lizard pet.
They are, though, capable of climbing around the place thanks to sticky feet, so keep an eye on them if you do choose one as your pet.
Brown Anole
A slightly larger edition to the above, the Brown Anole looks like it is charging up a fireball. They are brown in color, but have that same thick red ‘Adam’s apple’ style bulbous point around their throats. Usually around 9” in size, they can detach their own tail (and eat it, weirdly), and tend to love eating lizards and lizard eggs.
They are interesting animals but they are not pets – they should be kept away from other lizards, too, because as noted they will try to eat them.
Nile Monitor
Most commonly found stalking water, these giant lizards can easily top 70” in size and can live for as long as two decades. They tend to hunt everything from birds to crabs and frogs and can be quite dangerous to spend time around. Their yellow striping makes them quite standout characters.
Natural swimmers are good at catching sea creatures and disposing of them. They release a poison that is not fatal to humans, but they will be happy to try and bite you if you put them in a dangerous situation. If you encounter one, get away from them and leave them to it. They cannot be tamed and will bite anyone who gets too close or feels like they are being threatened.
Eastern Fence
The Eastern Fence is one of the most common lizards in Florida. They live for up to five years maximum and tend to make decent pets. They can top out at around 7.5” in size so they are not exactly giants of the lizard world.
They are commonly found in North Florida and tend to hang around tree trunks and fencing posts. They seem to be drawn to wood and are commonly seen during the day. At night, they try and hide and blend into their surroundings. Their dark color scheme ensures they blend into most tree barks without being seen, though blue patches on their undersides are common – especially in males.
Reef Gecko
The first and only gecko on our list of smaller lizards, the Reef Gecko is an intriguing lizard. Capable of living for up to 20 years, they have a much longer lifespan than most on this list. They are usually only around 2.5” in size, and they live more or less entirely on insects and larvae. They are good to keep as pets, but they are so hard to spot due to their tiny size that you need to keep an eye on them regularly.
Their coloring helps them to escape predators (and owners).
Tokay Gecko
Famed for their cyan and orange color scheme, these are very distinctive-looking lizards in Florida. They live for around a decade and are most commonly found hanging around trees.
They are native to South Asia and should not be here, and they are commonly very hard to catch. They are, though, natural pest hunters, so some people do not mind them hanging around. They are commonly found in the walls of our homes, if you spot one listen out for the tell-tale sounds. In terms of attacking you, they will bite and not let go. Avoid confronting one if you can, and get a specialist involved.
Green Iguana
They make awful pets but are legal in Florida to own as pets, but we cannot recommend it at all. Capable of living for around 15 years, the Green Iguana is a bit of a terror. They eat leaves, plants, and fruit – so keep them out of your garden or they will chew the whole place up. Capable of reaching sizes as large as 60”, too, they are pretty big lizards.
They can take their tail off their body and then regrow it, so do not think you can catch one by grabbing their tails to stop them.
Six-Lined Racerunner
These little dudes can reach close to 10” in size, and make pretty good pets. They live mostly on insects and tend to enjoy living in dry, open, arid areas. They are fast and can easily catch up with their prey, or escape a predator, with ease. They are noted for their ‘racing lines’ that run down their body – six in total, hence the name.
Look out for this breed by paying attention to the racing lines which will contrast with their mud green or black body areas. Interesting lizards, and can be kept as pets if wanted.
Black & White Tegu
Now this is one of the lizards in Florida to avoid if you see them. Usually around 60” in size, they will eat just about anything they can – including rodents. So, if you have rabbits or the like and see a Tegu get your animals indoors before this thing can get to them.
They are a major threat to Floridian wildlife and are an invasive species. They are very big and tend to look almost like an alligator, with their strong scaled pattern. The main difference is they are white and black. They will start stomping and thrashing their tail at you if they feel you are annoying them, and they will happily charge and bite. Avoid!
Dealing with lizards in Florida
The main thing you need to keep in mind is that most lizards will not attack a human. They are more scared of you than you are of them – even if you feel utterly terrified. For the most part, they can be removed from your home without having to worry about them leaving behind eggs or anything.
If you have any problems with lizards in Florida, someone should be able to help you by hiring a professional to deal with the problem. Do not get too close, do not react with aggression, and be calm – this is the best that you can do with most lizard species in Florida.