Lizards

When the world hit pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, many turned to baking, binge-watching shows or doing TikTok dances to pass the time. But a 12-year-old from Fort Lauderdale found inspiration in her backyard to write a poem about lizard earrings.

The invasive Peters’s rock agama lizard has spread to Central Florida. A team of University of Florida scientists is trying to determine what it could mean for public health.

The Puerto Rican crested anole has sprouted special scales to better cling to smooth surfaces like walls and windows and grown larger limbs to sprint across open areas, scientists say.

Tegus have been reported in 35 Florida counties, including nearly every part of the greater Tampa Bay region. A new factsheet shows their presence is now established in several North Florida counties and as far north as Georgia.

Across South Florida, 2019 is shaping up to be the year of the big lizard.At their yearly gathering to talk about invasive species this week, more than…