Geckos, Anoles and Skinks, Oh My: Our Sanibel friends come in all shapes and sizes

We know people love Sanibel for its shells, beaches and birds; but the Island is also a fabulous site for Lizard watching, Lizard being the general term used to classify geckos, anoles and skinks.

Actually, you do not even have to look very hard at all.

Geckos, anoles and skinks are residents on the island in the thousands, and easy to spot.

They are not just present in numbers, but in varieties as well.

Both native and non native species roam freely, often observing you before you see them.

Just look on any bush, wall, or palm tree trunk and you will likely observe one of our green anoles.  Or, more likely, they will be eyeing you from where ever they are sitting.  Friendly little guys, they can be luminescent green and quite beautiful. 

Green anoles are medium-sized lizards with long tails. They are the only anole native to the US. Sometimes called chameleons because of their color-changing ability, they can be anywhere from emerald green to brown or gray. When stressed, they turn dark brown. Males have a pink or red extendable dewlap or throat fan. Males often engage in lateral displays that includes head bobbing and pushups. The toes have adhesive pads on the undersides.

Green anoles are easily tamed and are common in the pet trade. They are active during the day, often around human habituation, and regularly bask head down on tree trunks, fence posts, decks or walls.

 

Almost as numerous, but perhaps not quite as colorful are our brown anoles.  Brown anoles were introduced to Florida from Cuba and the Bahamas and are now found throughout the state. They thrive in disturbed habitats, among ornamental plants and are common around buildings. Where brown anoles coexist with the native green anoles, you will usually see the brown anoles on the ground and the green anoles on the upper trunk and in the canopy of trees.

 

Among our skinks, the 5 lined skink is most populous on Sanibel.  Skinks, some times mistaken for snakes,  look more like smooth anoles with long tails and the 5 lined skink is distinguished by the stripes running down its back. Females are dark, chocolate brown with five yellowish-white stripes down the back. Males may be lighter brown with lighter stripes. In adults the tail is brown to bluish. In spring, breeding males have orange heads and cheeks.

This is one of Florida’s most common skinks. It occurs in many types of habitats and is often seen basking on fallen trees, walls, or in piles of trash. It makes it living on the ground, scratching through dead leaves and plants in search of insects. When alarmed, it vanishes into the dead leaves or sometimes takes to the water.

 

Our most common gecko is the Indo-Pacific Gecko. 

 

Though the Indo-pacific gecko resembles the less numerous Mediterranean gecko, the two species can be distinguished by the Indo-Pacific’s smooth skin. In addition, the Indo-Pacific gecko is the only species of house gecko with a yellow-orange belly.

The Indo-Pacific gecko is replacing the Mediterranean Gecko in many parts of south Florida. Both species are usually found near humans, usually around buildings with lights, although the Indo-Pacific is also found in many of South Florida’s native habitats.

Indo-Pacific geckos are nocturnal, emerging at night to wait near walkway and wall lights, where they feed on insects attracted to the lights. Unlike other lizards, these geckos vocalize, making squeaking or barking noises as they fight about territory.

This gecko is unisexual, reproducing by parthenogenesis – a process in which eggs grow and hatch without fertilization.

So now that you know, will you recognize the difference between a gecko, anole and skink?