Step outside on a sunny Florida day, and chances are you’ll catch a flicker of movement across the sidewalk or a rustle in your garden bed. A flash of green. A dash of brown. A tail slipping beneath a hibiscus leaf. Florida is crawling (quite literally) with lizards—and while some are native, many are not.
Let’s get to know these scaly little neighbors: who they are, what they eat, how they act, and the stories they’ve inspired.
The Native Ones: Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
The Green Anole is Florida’s only native anole species. Slender, agile, and vibrantly green (though it can shift to brown), this lizard is often mistaken for a chameleon because of its color-changing ability.
Latin name: Anolis carolinensis
Size: 5–8 inches
Habitat: Trees, shrubs, fences, porches—anywhere they can sun and hunt
Diet: Insects and spiders
Behavior: Males flash a pink throat fan (dewlap) to attract mates or warn rivals. They bob their heads in territorial displays, often looking like they’re doing push-ups.
Status: Native
Fun Fact: Green anoles are capable of regenerating their tails if they lose them to a predator!
The Invader: Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)
This tougher, more aggressive cousin hails from Cuba and the Bahamas. Introduced to Florida in the early 1900s (likely through shipping cargo), Brown Anoles have exploded in number.
Latin name: Anolis sagrei
Color: Brown with darker diamond patterns; males have a reddish-orange dewlap
Behavior: Ground dwellers, they often displace native green anoles, pushing them higher up into trees
Status: Non-native, invasive
While their presence threatens the native anoles’ territory, they do help control pest insects like mosquitoes, beetles, and even roaches.
Florida’s Mini Dragons: The Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus)
Sometimes called “prairie lizards”, these tough little reptiles look prehistoric with rough, spiny scales.
Latin name: Sceloporus undulatus
Habitat: Pine flatwoods, dry sandy uplands, fences
Behavior: Quick to dart away, but can freeze in place, blending into bark and rock
Status: Native
What Do Lizards Eat?
Most Florida lizards are insectivores, meaning they feed on insects, spiders, and small invertebrates. Some will also eat:
Tree sap
Nectar
Other smaller lizards (yes—especially the larger invasives)
Their hunting style is ambush-based: they perch motionless and pounce on prey.
What Did the Natives Think?
The Timucua, Calusa, and other indigenous Floridians noticed the behavior of lizards and often saw them as symbols of persistence, agility, or renewal due to their tail-regrowing abilities. Some tales speak of lizards as messengers between the earth and sky, darting between worlds like quicksilver.
In some South American indigenous cultures, lizards are linked to dreams and survival—their ability to live in harsh sun-drenched landscapes marked them as sacred creatures.
Are They Dangerous?
Not at all—Florida lizards are harmless to humans. They don’t bite (unless severely provoked), they don’t carry diseases, and they’re beneficial garden companions. In fact, seeing them in your yard is often a sign of a healthy ecosystem.
Why Do They Do Push-Ups?
Lizard “push-ups” are part of a complex communication system. It’s not about exercise—it’s about territory, courtship, and warnings. The faster and more dramatic the push-ups, the more the lizard is signaling dominance.
Want to Attract Lizards to Your Garden?
Let your backyard be a lizard haven by including:
Native plants and shrubs for cover
Flat rocks for basking
A water source like a shallow dish
No pesticides—keep their insect meals healthy!
Final Thoughts
Though they may seem like background creatures, Florida’s lizards are ancient, adaptable, and fascinating. Whether they’re flashing a throat fan, scaling your screen door, or sunbathing on your garden wall, they are reminders that the wild still thrives—even in suburbia.
So next time you spot a flick of tail or a bold little stare, pause and watch. You might be looking at the descendant of a dinosaur—just trying to catch a bug.