Iguanian Lizards: Agamids, Chameleons, Iguanids, Swifts, Curly-tails, and kin

[Shane]

As I was preparing this post I read about the effects of A. sagrei; I didn't realize it had become such a problem for the native species!

I'm sure you're well acquainted with what a hospitable place South Florida is for invasive wildlife, especially reptiles. When I lived there it was common to see green iguanas, brown basilisks, A. equestris, and A. sagrei, as well as curlytail lizards (Leiocephalus).

Even when I was very young, A. sagrei was much more prevalent as the "default" lizard you'd encounter in urban and suburban areas, with A. carolinensis mainly relegated to more natural areas like the Everglades. Since then, the most common "default" lizard has become Leiocephalus, which can be a bit jarring because they're much larger than A. sagrei but they've definitely become the dominant lizard found in backyards and houses (including sometimes inside).

Now that I'm a bit further north, I do still see A. carolinensis in my yard or around my house on occasion, though they're still far outnumbered by A. sagrei. Thankfully the curlytail lizards do not seem to have made it so far north (yet).

[stargatedalek]

Florida lucked out with the green iguanas since they don't have anything native to outcompete in Florida, and they arguably increase the available biodiversity of urban areas since not many other herbivores are willing to live off of lawn grass. They are an absolute menace in the Caribbean where there are native iguanas for them to outcompete.

[bmathison1972]

Kaiyodo Veiled Chameleon:

[bmathison1972]

Toymany Frilled Lizard:

[bmathison1972]

Yujin Antimena chameleon:

[bmathison1972]

New-Ray Malagasy giant chameleon: