You can’t walk five feet in Miami or Fort Lauderdale without something scuttling under a hibiscus leaf. It’s wild. Seriously, if you live here, you know that the population of lizards in South Florida has reached a point where it feels less like a suburban neighborhood and more like a scene out of a miniature Jurassic Park. They’re on the walls. They’re hanging off the screen enclosures. Sometimes, they’re even staring at you from the top of the toaster.
It wasn't always like this. If you talk to people who grew up here in the 70s or 80s, they’ll tell you about the little green anoles—the "native" ones that could change color. But those guys are getting harder to find. Now, it’s a heavy-metal version of the Everglades in our own gardens. We’re talking about massive iguanas that drop out of trees when it gets too cold and curly-tailed lizards that look like they’ve been working out at the gym. It’s a shifting ecosystem happening right under our feet, and honestly, it’s kinda fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
The Big Three: Identifying the Most Common Lizards in South Florida
First off, we have to talk about the Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). These are the ones you see everywhere. They aren't from here—they hitched a ride from Cuba and the Bahamas—and they've basically bullied the native Green Anole out of its own neighborhood. You'll notice the brown ones stay low. They like the dirt, the rocks, and the bottom of your fence. The native green ones? They’ve literally evolved larger toe pads in just a few decades to climb higher into the trees just to get away from these invaders. Biologist Yoel Stuart from the University of Texas actually documented this rapid evolutionary shift; it’s one of the fastest examples of "character displacement" ever recorded in the wild.
Then there’s the Northern Curly-tailed Lizard. You’ll recognize these guys immediately because they look like they’re trying to be fancy. They strut around with their tails curled up over their backs like a scorpion. They’re chunky. They’re bold. They don’t run away when you walk by; they just stare at you, probably wondering if you have any snacks. They were originally brought to Palm Beach in the 1940s to help control pests in sugar cane fields, but like most "bright ideas" involving moving species around, they just decided to stay and multiply.
And we can't ignore the Green Iguana. These are the giants. They can grow up to six feet long. They’re everywhere in the canals and the parks. While they look cool, they’re actually a massive headache for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). They dig burrows that collapse sidewalks and seawalls. They poop in pools. They eat basically every ornamental flower you spent money on at Home Depot. When the temperature drops below 40 degrees, they lose muscle control and fall out of the trees. It’s a legit weather hazard in South Florida.
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Why Do We Have So Many Invasive Species?
It’s basically the "Port of Miami" effect. Florida is the gateway for the exotic pet trade. For decades, reptiles were shipped in, and inevitably, some escaped or were released by owners who didn't realize that cute little lizard would turn into a dinosaur. Plus, the climate is perfect. It’s humid, it’s hot, and we don’t have a real winter to kill them off.
Take the Peter’s Rock Agama, for example. You’ve probably seen these—the males have bright orange heads and blue bodies. They look like Spiderman. They showed up in Homestead back in the 70s and have since spread all the way up to Brevard County. They love concrete. They love strip malls. They’ve found a niche in our urban sprawl that native species just weren't using. It’s a man-made paradise for them.
The Problem With "The New Normal"
Some people think it’s cool to have a backyard full of tropical reptiles. But there’s a cost. These lizards in South Florida are outcompeting our native birds and smaller reptiles for food. They eat the same bugs. They eat the same fruit. Some of them, like the Knight Anole (the big green one with the yellow stripe on its shoulder), will even eat smaller lizards and bird eggs.
There’s also the salmonella issue. Most reptiles carry it. If your dog catches a lizard or if kids are playing near where iguanas congregate, there’s a real risk of infection. It’s not just a "nature is pretty" situation; it’s a public health and infrastructure conversation. The FWC has even gone as far as to declare several species "unprotected," meaning homeowners can humanely kill them on their own property without a permit. That’s how serious the overpopulation has become.
Dealing With Lizards on Your Property
If you're tired of them living in your lanai, you've probably tried everything. Honestly, most of those "lizard repellent" sprays you see online don't work that well. Lizards are tough.
One thing that actually helps is changing your landscaping. Lizards love thick brush and piles of mulch. If you clear out the debris and keep your bushes trimmed away from the walls of your house, they have fewer places to hide. They hate being out in the open where hawks can see them.
You can also try "exclusion." This basically means sealing up every tiny crack in your house. A small anole can squeeze through a gap the size of a pencil. Check your weather stripping. Look at where the pipes enter the house. If there’s a hole, they will find it. They want your air conditioning just as much as you do.
What about the Tegu?
We have to mention the Argentine Black and White Tegu. These are the "end boss" of Florida lizards. They’re smart—like, dog-level smart. They can be house-broken if kept as pets, but in the wild, they are a disaster. They eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds and even alligators. They’ve established huge populations in Miami-Dade and are moving north. Unlike iguanas, tegus can tolerate colder temperatures by burrowing underground, which means they could potentially spread much further than the tropical species.
Practical Steps for Florida Homeowners
Living with lizards in South Florida is a reality, but you don't have to let them take over your life. Here is what you should actually do:
- Audit your perimeter. Walk around your house and look for "lizard highways." Overhanging branches that touch your roof are basically bridges for iguanas and anoles to get onto your house. Cut them back at least three to five feet.
- Manage your trash. Some of the larger species are scavengers. Keep your bins sealed tight so you aren't providing a free buffet that attracts them to your patio.
- Fill the gaps. Use copper mesh or expanding foam to seal holes in your soffits and around outdoor outlets. This prevents them from nesting in your attic or walls, which can lead to nasty smells if one dies in there.
- Plant strategically. If you have iguanas, avoid planting hibiscus, orchids, or roses. They love those. Instead, look into "iguana-resistant" plants like crotons, ixora, or oleander. They’re much less likely to get eaten.
- Don't DIY the big stuff. if you have a massive iguana or tegu problem, call a professional. These animals can bite, scratch, and whip their tails with incredible force. It’s not worth a trip to the ER.
The reality of South Florida's ecosystem is that it is constantly changing. We are living in a giant experiment of biological mixing. While we might miss the days of just seeing a few green anoles on the porch, the current explosion of lizard diversity is here to stay. Understanding who they are and why they're here is the first step in managing your own little corner of the jungle. Keep your screens tight and your garden trimmed.