Florida's Exotic Wildlife. Species detail.
First year: 1996
Extirpated year:
Established status: Species are
present but not confirmed to be breeding. Population persists only
with repeated introductions and/or escapes of individuals.
Estimated Florida range: 2
counties Less than 10 years
Statewide trend: Unknown
status
Threats to natives: May prey upon
smaller lizards.
Species Account: This species is
native to the Mediterranean coast and North Africa. It reaches
about 16 cm (6 in) long and is a strong-jawed predaceous species.
Adults are sand colored with both granular and tubercular scales,
but at night they are much paler. They are active at night on the
outside walls of dwellings, warehouses, and cinderblock fences in a
few small areas in Dade and Lee counties, where they escaped or
were released from the pet trade (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).
Habitats: Central or core urban
area
| County |
First Year |
Extirpated Year |
Breeding status |
Notes |
| DADE |
1990s |
|
Less than 10 years |
Found in 2 small areas (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999) |
| LEE |
1990s |
|
Less than 10 years |
Found in 1 area (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999) |
References
Bartlett, R. D., and P. P. Bartlett. 1999. A field
guide to Florida reptiles and amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company,
Houston, Texas. 278pp.
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Nonnative Reptiles
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