Discovering the Little Lizards of the Suncoast

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Little lizards are all across the Suncoast this time of year.

The lizards are called brown anoles, according to Flavio Morrissiey, Consulting Director at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

“We take them for granted. They’re all over and you’re like, what are these things? They’re called brown anoles, everybody’s got a different name for them,” Morrissiey said.

The lizards originated in Cuba and the Bahamas. They are an invasive species that has spread throughout much of the southeastern United States. They are considered harmless to people.

Diet and behavior

The lizards eat mosquitoes, flies and other insects.

Karla Colon said she is afraid of the lizards.

“I’m legitimately terrified of them. I can’t explain it, they’re just so ugly and blah, I can’t even explain it,” Colon said.

Egrets and snakes love the lizards. For lunch.

“If you ever see egrets around bushes, they’re looking for the lizards. They’re really clever. They talk to each other, they don’t converse, but there’s a lot of visual communication. They do push ups, head bob, they show their dewlap. That color there, it sounds out the message, it says ‘look at me, ladies!’” Morrissiey said.

Impact on butterfly exhibit

Staff at Sarasota Jungle Gardens said the lizards can be a problem for the butterfly exhibit.

“Sometimes they can be a pest for our butterfly exhibit. These lizards go in there and they love butterflies. So we have to try to keep these lizards out,” Morrissiey explained.

Staff relocate the lizards daily to protect the butterflies.

Karla Colon said the lizards’diet of mosquitoes and other bugs does not change her opinion of them.

“Honestly, I don’t mind the mosquito. I don’t mind the bug. I just don’t want the lizard,” Colon said.

“You really don’t like them,” Modrick said.

“I really don’t like them,” Colon said.

“And then what would you have done if there were six lizards out here?” Modrick asked.

“I would have stopped, and seen my other options, probably gone through the back door,” Colon said.

“Wow, you really don’t like lizards,” Modrick said.

“I really don’t like them,” Colon said.

Up to 5,000 lizards can be found in a space the size of a football field, according to the report. Florida’s native green anoles have been forced to live in trees to stay away from the more aggressive brown anoles.