They were named after this very mole-like behavior. Instead of running, they “swim” into the sand to safety when they encounter a threat. They never climb, but they can be found hidden under rotting logs, leaf litter, and burrowed into dry, loose soil. This species is entirely terrestrial and even semi-fossorial. There are currently five recognized subspecies of mole skink. Habitat: Hot, dry environments with loose soil Mole Skink Plestiodon egregiusĭescription: Tiny, short legs, slender, blue or orange long tail, shiny This is an insectivorous species that’s active during the day. They’ll hide amongst rocks, leaf litter, and vegetation, then dive into the water if detected. They prefer humid habitats along bodies of fast-moving water. It’s classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, and it is poorly understood and not well-studied. This elusive species is an uncommon find in its minimal range of the Florida panhandle and several isolated populations scattered around the eastern half of the United States. Coal Skink Plestiodon anthracinusĭescription: Short legs, slender, shiny, gray or brown with four light-colored stripes, blue tail It is the longest glass lizard species in Florida. Florida tree leaf guide series#Instead, it has a series of irregular white vertical lines behind its head. Unlike its cousins, this species has no lengthwise stripes on its side or back. Habitat: Coastal dunes, sandy coastal plains, and wetlands Eastern Glass Lizard Ophisaurus ventralisĭescription: Legless, light brown to black with green and yellow speckling, looks like a snake with eyelids and ears. Unlike other glass lizard species found throughout Florida, this species is only found in the Florida panhandle. This species may be distinguished from other legless lizards by the dark stripes running down the lower half of each side of its body. Mimic Glass Lizard Ophisaurus mimicusĭescription: Legless, shorter than other glass lizard species, bronze with yellow and black stripes and speckles, looks like a snake with eyelids and ears. The Slender Glass Lizard is typically thinner than its other legless cousins and features dark speckling down the entire lower sides of its body. Slender Glass Lizard Ophisaurus attenuatusĭescription: Legless, brown or black with yellow lengthwise stripes of varying lengths, looks like a snake with eyelids and ears. The Island Glass Lizard may be distinguished from other legless lizard species by two dark stripes running down either side of the lizard’s body and, sometimes, a dark line running down the lizard’s back. Island Glass Lizard Ophisaurus compressusĭescription: Legless, tan base color with black down the sides and yellow and black speckling on the sides of the face, looks like a snake with eyelids and ears. Like anoles, this species actively hunts for insects during the daytime. It’s an incredibly shy and speedy little lizard, reaching speeds of up to 18 mph when it flees. There’s even a small, isolated population in Michigan. The six-lined racerunner is native to much of the southeastern United States. Habitat: Mostly terrestrial, loamy terrains, grasslands, woodlands, open floodplains, rocky outcroppings Range: Throughout Florida, except southcentral wetlandsĭescription: Slender, brown or black with six yellow lines running lengthwise down the body, greenish tinge, smooth skin, long tail Six-lined Racerunner Aspidoscelis sexlineatus Florida tree leaf guide how to#In captivity, they can be cared for really well – if you know how to do it. This species is highly territorial, and males can often be seen chasing each other away and exhibiting threat displays. Green Anoles eat insects primarily (opens in new tab), but they also occasionally sample seeds and grains. Their brown, invasive cousins are far easier to find, but these green gems certainly stand out, especially when the males flash their bright red dewlaps. But you can find it in other places throughout the Southeast US, even in Texas. The Green Anole, also known as the Carolina Anole or the American Anole, is the only anole species native to Florida. Habitat: Semi-arboreal, bushes, fencelines Eastern Fence Lizard Sceloporus undulatusĭescription: Slender, green, smooth skin, long tail.Florida Sand Skink Plestiodon reynoldsi. Southeastern Five-lined Skink Plestiodon inexpectatus.Common Five-lined Skink Plestiodon fasciatus.Eastern Glass Lizard Ophisaurus ventralis.Slender Glass Lizard Ophisaurus attenuatus.Island Glass Lizard Ophisaurus compressus.Six-lined Racerunner Aspidoscelis sexlineatus.
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