• Topics: Wildlife Ecology and Conservation | Ft. Lauderdale REC | Harvey, Rebecca G | Mazzotti, Frank | Non-Native, Invasive, and Introduced Reptiles and Amphibians

Nonnative Reptiles in South Florida: Identification Guide¹

This document is best viewed in pdf form. All photos are property of University of Florida unless otherwise noted.

• The nonnative reptiles shown here are native to Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. They were introduced to south Florida by human activity.

• Invasive species harm native species through direct predation, competition for resources, spread of disease, and disruption of natural ecosystems. Many of the nonnative reptiles on this guide are, or have the potential to become, invasive.

• Use this guide to identify invasive species and immediately report sightings of the black and white tegu, Nile monitor, and all invasive snakes to 1-888-IVE-GOT1. Take a photo and note the location relative to street intersections or with a GPS if possible.

• More photos can be found at www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/herpetology.htm.

• Be certain that an animal is a nonnative species before removing it. Warning—most reptiles will bite or scratch if provoked.

Nonnative species are sometimes confused with the Florida natives shown because their colorations and patterns are very similar. Pay attention to the distinct characteristics and typical adult sizes listed on this guide to avoid confusion when you encounter these animals.

Nonnative Lizards

Figure 1. 

Green Iguana, 4 to 6 feet. Vibrant shades of green become dull with age. Males have larger spikes along back.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 2. 

Black Spinytail Iguana, 2 to 4 feet. Gray to tan body with well-defined black bands. Photo by William Flaxington.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 3. 

Black and White Tegu, 2 to 3 feet. Dark bands with plentiful white dots between them. Photo by David Barkasy.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 4. 

Brown Anole, 5 to 9 inches. Yellowish-tan to dark brown; red dewlap with yellow border. Photo by Ianaré Sévi.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 5. 

Cuban Knight Anole, 13 to 19.5 inches. Changes from bright green to brown; yellow facial band. Photo by Bill Bayless.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 6. 

Northern Curly-Tailed Lizard, 7 to 10.5 inches. Gray to tan with curled tail.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 7. 

Nile Monitor, 4 to 6 feet. Brown/yellow body bands; forked, black/blue tongue; long, sharp claws. Photo by Bill Bayless.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Native Look-Alikes

Figure 8. 

Green Anole, 5 to 8 inches. Can change color to brown; pinkish dewlap (throat fan).

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 9. 

Eastern Fence Lizard, 3.5 to 7.5 inches. Photo by Steve Johnson.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 10. 

Florida Scrub Lizard, 3.5 to 5.5 inches. Photo by Steve Johnson.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 11. 

American Alligator, 6 to 9 feet. (Juveniles pictured.)

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Nonnative Snakes Report sightings to www.IveGot1.org or 1-888-IVE-GOT1 (1-888-483-4681)

Figure 12. 

Burmese Python, 10 to 12 feet. Tan body with dark blotches that do not touch; dark and light wedges beneath the eye.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 13. 

African Python, 10 to 12 feet. Tan to grey body with irregular dark spots; dark and light wedges beneath the eye.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 14. 

Reticulated Python, 14 to 18 feet. Distinct reddish eyes; tan body with dark brown, net-like markings with yellow and white accents. Photo by Bjorn Lardener, Colorado State University.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 15. 

Ball Python, 2 to 4 feet. Large brownish spots outlined in light cream color against a dark brown or black body.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 16. 

Boa Constrictor, 6 to 9 feet. Tan oval spots, reddish-brown tail.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 17. 

Green Anaconda, 13 to 15 feet. Green body; large, round, dark spots; eye stripes.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 18. 

Yellow Anaconda, 6 to 9 feet. Yellow body; large, dark spots; five dark stripes on top of head. Credits, Lutz Dirksen, U.S. Geological Survey.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

NATIVE Snakes Sometimes Confused with Invasives

Note that invasive snakes are much heavier-bodied than most natives and always have smooth, shiny scales. Cottonmouths and rattlesnakes have a more distinctively triangular head than the invasive snakes.

Figure 19. 

Eastern Indigo Snake, 5 to 6 feet. Endangered species.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 20. 

Brown Watersnake, 3.5 to 4.5 feet.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 21. 

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, 3 to 5 feet. Venomous.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 22. 

Corn Snake, 1.5 to 3.5 feet.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Figure 23. 

Cottonmouth, 2.5 to 3 feet. Venomous.

[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.

• Copyright 2012 |
• Site Feedback |
• About This Site