Skink Florida Lizards Identification

Skinks are not easy to catch.

Skink florida lizards identification. Two brown anole lizards an invasive species on chainlink fence in southern florida an american green anole anolis carolinensis climbing on a branch in palm harbor florida usa. They are not poisonous however and this broadhead skink didn t seem to mind. All the species of skinks found in florida prowl on the ground for small insects although the larger species also climb trees and wooden structures. Plestiodon egregius baird 1859 mole skink.

And wikipedia says 68 of those species live in florida. As of 2016 it is classified as vulnerable by the iucn due to ongoing habitat destruction for the purpose of building developments citrus plantations phosphate mining and wildfires. Geckos are so common in buildings in south florida that they are called house lizards anoles and skinks are easy to watch in almost any park or garden. Read on to learn about the skink.

Non native plestiodon anthracinus baird 1850 coal skink. Sand skinks or neoseps reynoldsi are found in central florida particularly marion and highlands counties and appear to be legless this results in many mistaking these lizards for snakes but they re actually a distinct species separate from snakes. In fact these little reptiles have the widest diversity of any type of lizard. Here are 6 of the most common lizards in florida.

Researchers recognize over 1 500 different species of skinks in several different subfamilies and over 100 different taxonomic genuses. They were able to survive in florida s warm climate this has made parts of florida a haven for exotic species of reptiles. Skinks look like lizards of the family lacertidae sometimes called true lizards but most species of skinks have no pronounced neck and relatively small legs several genera e g typhlosaurus have no limbs at all this isn t true for all skinks however as some species such as the red eyed crocodile skink have a head that is very distinguished from the body. Plestiodon egregius insularis mount 1965 cedar key mole skink.

The large majority of these lizards in florida are not native and were bought in from other countries. A skink is any of the many different lizard species in the scincidae family. Plestiodon egregius egregius baird 1859 florida keys mole skink. Smooth sleek and shiny are the adjectives used to describe the healthy skink.

Search results for lizards florida stock photos and images 603 page 1 of 7. The skink family is a large group and this lizard is found on all continents. Florida has several lizard species that are easy to find and interesting to watch.