Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 37 | Page 43

Glass Lizards ( family Anguidae ). In addition to the eastern glass lizard found on Kiawah Island , three other species of glass lizards occur on the mainland in the Southeast , and two are known from one or more barrier islands . Each species has a pattern of body stripes and markings that is diagnostic , and identification is best done with the help of a field guide . The slender glass lizard is common on the mainland in some regions but has not been reported from barrier islands . The mimic glass lizard ( known from Sapelo and Cumberland islands ) and island glass lizard ( Little St . Simons ) are not nearly as abundant as the other two .
Exotic Lizards In addition to native species of lizards that might eventually turn up on Kiawah Island , a high probability exists that one or more introduced species will eventually be found . Although Florida has more than 30 introduced lizard species that have become established in certain areas , most are on the southern tip and unlikely to become resident in other areas . The three species of lizards not native to South Carolina that are the most likely to be discovered on Kiawah Island follow :
Mediterranean Gecko ( family Gekkonidae ). The Mediterranean gecko is the only lizard in South Carolina that you are likely to encounter after dark . They can often be spotted around lights dashing across walls or ceilings to capture insects , spiders and other invertebrates . They are
Mediterranean gecko
rarely seen when the sun is out , spending their days hidden in door jamb crevices , in gaps between concrete walls or other refuges . This four- to five-inch lizard varies in coloration from a translucent pink to a light brown with dark brown spots . The native range of this species includes southern Europe , Turkey , India and the Mediterranean but it has been introduced in many parts of the world including most of the southeastern United States .
Texas Horned Lizard ( family Phrynosomatidae ). This is one spectacular looking lizard with prominent horns and spines distributed across much of the body . Although a fairly short lizard ( three to four inches long ), it is stocky with a wide flattened body and a short tail . This species is native to the western United States ; however , it has been established in coastal South Carolina among the sandy areas where ants are abundant . They feed on a variety of ants , other insects and centipedes . The most impressive aspect of this lizard relates to its ability to squirt a thin stream of blood out of the corner of each eye presumably to repel foxes and other predators .
Brown Anole ( family Iguanidae ). The Brown Anole looks superficially like the green anole but lacks the ability to change to a bright green color . It can darken to a dark gray or tan with varying amounts of crossbanding and a reticulated pattern . Although they are about the same length as the green anole , brown anoles have a stockier body and blunt snout . This species is native to the West Indies but it is widely distributed throughout the southeastern United States . In certain areas of Florida , it is far more common than our native green anole . It is not yet common in South Carolina but populations are expected to expand and increase in the future . These lizards continue to hitchhike on shipments of lumber and plants and often become introduced in new locations . Brown anoles feed on various invertebrates including insects and spiders and are preyed upon by snakes , birds , and other predators
Lizards offer daytime opportunities to observe some of the Southeast ’ s smallest reptile predators and see some fascinating behavior as well as some colorful native wildlife . Keep a watchful eye , and you ’ ll be sure to see the lizards of Kiawah . NK
Whit Gibbons ( left ) is Professor Emeritus of Ecology , University of Georgia , and former head of Educational Outreach at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory . He has written numerous scientific articles and books on reptiles and amphibians . Tony Mills ( right ) is Education Director and co-teaches the
Master Naturalist Program at Spring Island . Tony also hosts Coastal Kingdom , a nature series that airs on SCETV and other stations . Whit and Tony co-authored ( with Judy Greene ) the popular field guide , Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast ( University of Georgia Press ), which is available on Amazon . com
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