Leiocephalus carinatus Northern Curly-tailed Lizard
Also known as:
Northern Curlytail Lizard
John Prince Campground, Palm Beach County, FloridaApril 18, 2004
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus)
This species is native to the Bahamas, but has become established in parts of Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County in southeastern Florida. This little family of two adults and two juveniles resided just next to a dumpster in a suburban campground. I think some of the other campers must have wondered about my mental state when they saw me slowly creep nearer and nearer to the dumpster, gripping my tripod.
South Miami, Miami-Dade County, FloridaMarch 2, 2021
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus)
Northern Curly-tailed Lizards now have established populations all over the greater Miami area. This one was part of a gang living on some decorative rocks in a South Miami front yard.
Fairchild Tropical Garden, Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, FloridaMarch 3, 2021
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus)
There's a thriving population of these Bahamian lizards in the "Spiny Forest of Madagascar" area in Fairchild Tropical Garden, where they share the rocks with big African agamas. I was saddened by the lack of Malagasy lizards in that exhibit.
South Pointe Park, Miami-Dade County, FloridaMarch 16, 2021
Northern Curly-tailed Lizard (Leiocephalus carinatus)
Another healthy colony festooned rocks along the wharf's edge at a trendy park in South Beach.
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