The Florida scrub lizard is an elusive and endangered species endemic to Florida. They only live in Florida and are not found anywhere else in the world. Even in Florida, the species is ill-distributed and faces problems like habitat destruction.
There are 20 species of native Florida lizards, including the Florida scrub lizard. The other 48 lizards living in the state are non-native.
What Is The Florida Scrub Lizard?
The Florida lizard has a gray to brown body with spiny scales. The scales overlap, creating a rough texture.
A brown, wide stripe runs down either side of the body, starting at the neck and ending just before the tail.
You can distinguish males and females because males have bright blue patches on either side of their abdomen. Their throat is black with bright blue patches at the base.
Females do not have bright patches but may have dull blue patches on their abdomen. Females have 7-10 irregular brown lines that run down their backs.
At first glance, people often misidentify the Florida scrub lizard as the fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus). Fence lizards are slightly larger and do not have the dark stripe that scrub lizards have.
- Common Names: Florida Scrub Lizard, Pine Scrub Lizard, Rosemary Lizard, Scrub Lizard
- Scientific Name: Sceloporus woodi
- Origin: Florida
- Size (Length): 5 in (12.7 cm)
- Lifespan: up to 2.25 years
- Temperament: Shy & peaceful
Habitat
You will only see these lizards in Florida because they don’t live anywhere else.
The University of Florida describes where Florida scrub lizards live throughout the state:
“These lizards presently occur in disjunct populations in central Florida and on the Atlantic Coast (Figure 2). Populations that once occurred along the Gulf Coast in Lee and Collier counties have been extirpated by urban development; the last record was in 1994. In the state’s interior, scrub lizards are restricted to the Mount Dora, Winter Haven, Lake Wales, and Bombing Range ridges in Putnam, Marion, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, and Highlands counties. Scrub lizards once occurred along the Atlantic Coast from Brevard to northern Miami-Dade County, but they now occur only as far south as Palm Beach County. Ocala National Forest contains the most habitat for the species.”
Florida scrub lizards prefer dry habitats in areas with higher elevation. You will often see them in scrubs, sand hills, and flatwoods with lots of scrubs. They need plenty of sun and seek out areas with bare sand. They ensure their sandy area sits next to shrubs or trees so they can seek shade when needed.
Because they like open spaces, they are most common in cleared areas created by fires or logging.
They love finding rosemary scrub because the plant is dense and prevents other plants from growing around them. The inhibition of growth means that rosemary leaves plenty of bare, sandy space for the lizards to sit and sunbathe. The scrub also makes the ideal perch for the lizards to climb on.
Often, habitats comprise an overstory of sand pine and longleaf pine covering an understory of scrub oaks like turkey oak. Leaf litter and lichen often cover the ground.
Behavior & Temperament
These scrub lizards of Florida love to sit, basking in the sun, but they also enjoy climbing. They will most often perch on tree trunks and logs when searching for prey because they provide a good vantage point.
Florida scrub lizards love the sun and are most active when the temperature is warm. They become less active when the temperature drops or when it is scorching hot in summer.
Males bob their heads frequently and rapidly when they are most active. They use bobbing to scare off other males or to attract mates.
Weaker males usually run away upon seeing the head bobbing. Males that accept the challenge turn their bodies sideways and flatten their backs. Displaying themselves this way makes them seem larger and presents the vivid blue on the side of their bellies.
Females will often hold their ground whether or not they’re receptive to the male. Females who don’t like the advances will arch their back and jump to the side. Mating occurs if the female is receptive.
Shy animals, they freeze if approached by a human. They run and hide if the human continues to advance. They seek scrub to hide in when available, but will climb trees if there is no scrub around.
If caught by a predator, the lizards use their scales as a defense mechanism. Their scales are spiny and rough, and the lizards can raise them to make them sharper. They resort to dropping their tails if their scales don’t work.
Diet
Florida scrub lizards are carnivores who eat spiders, insects, and other small arthropods. They even eat other lizards that are small enough.
They are not active hunters, preferring to remain still until suitable prey comes along.
Reproduction & Mating
Mating occurs over winter, usually in February. The female lays her first clutch, 2-8 eggs, around the beginning of March. Clutches of 4-5 eggs are most common. The mothers lays the eggs in the sand.
Female Florida scrub lizards can produce 3-5 clutches a year, and mating continues until about June. The larger the lizard, the more likely it is to lay more clutches.
The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology says:
“It has been estimated that the largest females could lay up to five clutches in a single reproductive season under optimal conditions; however three clutches in a season is more likely.”
Mature females are more likely to reproduce earlier in the season. Less mature females often begin laying eggs around April or early summer.
Eggs laid in April incubate for about 75 days before hatching. Researchers believe the incubation times get shorter for each clutch laid closer to summer because of the ground temperature warming up.
Egg laying continues throughout the summer, and hatchlings pop up as late as early November.
Juveniles reach sexual maturity around 10-11 months of age, and the cycle continues.
Conclusion
Florida scrub lizards only live in certain parts of Florida and not anywhere else in the world. Their numbers are dwindling because of habitat destruction, and because their populations are so divided.
Still, they are unique lizards with a beautiful turquoise color on the sides of their bellies. Hopefully, the government will take action soon to protect the Florida scrub lizard.
FAQs
Florida scrub lizards are neither poisonous nor venomous. Rather, they are completely harmless to humans.
You are unlikely to ever catch a Florida scrub lizard, but even if you do, they’re not likely to bite. They are fearful animals who are more likely to drop their tails when threatened.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, Florida scrub lizards are “near threatened”. Their populations are also decreasing.
Yet, scrub lizards are not listed as “threatened” or “endangered” on the state or federal level. A petition to have them listed was written in 2012, but nothing came of it.
The biggest threat to these lizards is habitat destruction. More houses and urban areas are being constructed, as well as commercial and industrial buildings. They are also losing habitat to agricultural areas for the harvesting of crops. The logging trade presents similar threats.
.jpg){kind=link}