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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