Peter's rock agama, red-headed lizard another Florida invasive species
The Peter's rock agama is yet another invasive species in Florida which probably arrived through the pet trade.
- Peter's rock agamas were first documented in Florida in 1976, and are established in 20 counties.
- The red-headed lizards live primarily in our neighborhoods and other “human-dominated” areas in Florida.
- Agamas aren’t venomous or poisonous but can harbor parasites and bacteria and can deliver a painful bite.
What's orange (or red) and blue, long and fast?
And it could be outside your door, under your car, in the tree over your head … you get the picture.
Say hello to the Peter's rock agama. They're not new to Florida, but they've definitely made themselves at home, but are they poisonous and what happens if your pet catches one?
When did Peter's rock agamas first appear in Florida?
Peter's rock agamas were first documented in Florida in 1976, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
They are native to tropical, sub-Saharan Africa.
How did the agamas get to Florida?
Like so many other invasive species, the Peter's rock agamas were introduced via the pet trade as either escaped or released pets, FWC said.
They're among about 50 species of nonnative lizards now found in Florida, according to the University of Florida.
Where have red-headed agamas been reported in Florida?
Since showing up in Florida in 1976, Peter's rock agamas have become established in these counties:
- Brevard
- Broward
- Charlotte
- Collier
- Hillsborough
- Indian River
- Lee
- Manatee
- Martin
- Miami-Dade
- Monroe
- Okeechobee
- Orange
- Palm Beach
- Pinellas
- Polk
- Sarasota
- Seminole
- St. Lucie
- Volusia
The FWC encourages the public to report observations of nonnative fish and wildlife, but additional reports of agamas from counties where they are established are not needed. Report non-native species at IveGot1.org.
Where can you find Peter's rock agamas in Florida?
You're going to love this: “Peter's rock agama are largely confined to residential sites and human-dominated areas in Florida, and they do not normally appear to invade natural habitats,” according to a University of Florida/IFAS report.
In other words, they like to live where we are, and that puts them not only in view to us, but provide temptation to our pets.
“They tend to prefer disturbed habitats in urban and suburban areas. Even if found in a natural area or an open field, they still tend to occur near some structure like a house, office building, trailer, pole barn, etc.,” according to Eric Suarez, invasive species research program coordinator at the University of Florida via email.
“They can climb well and are sometimes spotted on fences, walls, or trees,” said Lisa Thompson with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, via email.
“Peter’s rock agamas, like many other lizards, typically seek out areas with abundant cover for shelter from predators and access to the sun when needed. They can take shelter in trees, shrubbery, dense weeds, and under objects.
Agamas are active during the day.
Are those red-headed lizards dangerous to our pets?
“While agamas aren’t venomous or poisonous, they can harbor parasites and bacteria that may or may not cause a dog or cat discomfort, but that is likely a case-by-case basis,” Suarez said.
If your pet is bitten by an agama, “just like any bite or scratch a pet may have, it should be washed, cleaned, and treated appropriately to prevent it from potentially getting worse (e.g., getting infected).”
“It is not recommended to let pets interact directly with agamas or any wildlife, whether nonnative or native,” Thompson said.
“Wild Peter’s rock agamas are generally not aggressive but may be defensive and try to bite if handled directly. While they aren’t venomous, the bite of a larger agama may be painful.”
Peter's rock agamas are fast. They usually flee when approached. If your pet is fast enough to catch one, like other lizards, the agamas will leave their tail behind to get away.
“Regardless, like any wild animal, if cornered where it cannot get away, I am sure it will try and defend itself,” Suarez said.
An agama got into my home! Can I kill it?
Agamas are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be humanely killed on private property with landowner permission. This species can be captured and humanely killed year-round and without a permit or hunting license, the FWC said.
They're classified as Class III wildlife in Florida, so a permit is not required to keep them as pets but a permit is required for exhibition or sale.
If you can no longer keep an agama as a pet, do not release it, the FWC said.
“Owners may surrender unwanted pet agamas through the FWC’s Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.”
What do Peter's rock agamas look like?
Adult male Peter’s rock agamas are approximately 8 to 12 inches long. Females are smaller, about 4 to 5 inches long. Breeding males are the ones that catch your eye. They have an orange or red head, indigo blue or black body, and a tail that is bluish white at the base with an orange middle segment and black tip, according to the FWC.
Non-breeding males and females tend to look the same, with brownish, rough-scaled bodies, light-colored lines on the head and neck, and a whitish band on the back of the thighs that extends onto the sides if the tail.
What do those red-headed lizards eat?
Agamas feed mostly on ants, grasshoppers, crickets and beetles and other insects, the FWC said.
They've also been seen feeding on a variety of smaller prey animals including snakes, lizards, birds and mammals, as well as their own offspring.
Easy to see, hard to catch. Eradication of agamas in Florida not likely
“Peter’s rock agamas are often easy to see but can be difficult to catch. Eradication of established populations in Florida is likely not feasible,” the FWC said.
“Just based of reports in the last 10 years or so they seem to be spreading quickly throughout Florida,” Suarez said.
