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But did you know that there are over 150 chameleon species today? While we can’t discuss all of them in today’s article, we will discuss several. More exactly, we’re diving deep into the Florida territory to check 7 of the top chameleon species you can find there. Let’s jump straight in! 1. Oustalet’s Chameleon
- Green Iguanas (Iguana Iguana) Florida’s most prolific iguana is the most substantial of all invasive species. The green iguana grows over 5 feet (1.5 meters) and can weigh up to 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms).
- Mexican Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura Pectinata) Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas are another introduced species to Florida. The species is native to western Mexico and is often known as the western spiny-tailed iguana.
- Black Spiny-tailed Iguanas (Ctenosaura Similis) Another growing headache for residents of Florida is the black spiny-tailed iguana. In recent years, populations have exploded across the south of the state.
- African Redhead Agama Lizard. The African Redhead Lizard is one of the more problematic invasive species in Florida. Ever since arriving in Southern Florida in 1976, the species has been growing at an alarming rate.
- Green Iguana. The green iguana is originally from Central and South America and made an appearance in Florida in the 1960s. Since then the green iguana population has grown at an alarming rate.
- Argentine Tegu. The Argentine Tegu was introduced to Florida via the pet trade and are native to South America. They are a huge threat to the Florida ecosystem as they eat anything and everything.
- Cuban Brown Anole. The brown anole made its way to Florida by attaching itself to a shipping crate coming from Cuba. While green anoles are native to Florida, the brown anole is not.
- Brown Anole. The invasive Brown Anole (Anolis sangrei) is very similar in shape and size to Florida’s native green anole, aside from its color. These anoles are tan, gray, and brown, with a cream-colored belly that fades into brown on the sides.
- Green Anole. The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is one of the most common lizards in Florida, and they are not hard to miss. Green anoles are typically bright, lime green with a white throat and underbelly.
- Green Iguana. It is hard to mistake a Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) for anything else. This species is one of the largest lizards in Florida and is known for its long, whiplike tail that it lashes in self-defense.
- Mediterranean House Gecko. The Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) is a small gecko with large eyes. Like most geckos, it has no eyelids and cleans its eyes with its tongue.
- Veiled Chameleon. The veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) is one of five different types of chameleons in Florida. The veiled chameleon has distinctive, greenish-blue colors, meaning it blends into its surrounding environment rather easily.
- The Panther Chameleon. Panther chameleons are native to Madagascar but are also common throughout Florida. They have distinctive black-and-white coloration.
- Malagasy Giant Chameleon. The Malagasy giant chameleon is quite a large species and is sometimes found in Madagascar. They can grow up to 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) long with a tail measuring over 50 cm (20 inches).
- Jackson Chameleon. As a member of the iguana family, Jackson chameleons are native to south and east Africa. However, they’re also very common in captivity.
Sep 19, 2024 · Best Locations: The Tampa Bay area and Southern Florida (Broward and Miami-Dade Counties) are prime spots for chameleon sightings, especially in parks and private gardens. Optimal Sightings: Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to spot chameleons, as they are more active during these cooler periods.
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Jan 24, 2023 · There are no iguana species that are actually native to Florida. Instead, the three main species currently living throughout the state are invasive species. Humans brought these lizards to Florida from nearby islands via cargo ships and independent releases throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
