SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION A male Peter’s rock iguana.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation is asking for the public’s help in documenting the post-Hurricane Ian spread of Peter’s rock agamas, formerly known as African red-head agamas, into new areas on the islands.

“We’ve had a sharp increase in reported sightings,” SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz said. “Since Hurricane Ian, we’ve documented several species of flora and fauna that have moved to new areas on the island where they were previously not present.”

The SCCF reported that native to West Africa, the species was purposefully introduced into Florida as early as 1976 by the pet trade. They can reach up to a foot in length.

The fast-moving, highly diurnal lizards are in the same family as bearded dragons. They thrive in residential (disturbed) areas and are often seen sitting on curbs, rock piles and the sides of buildings.

Males have an orange/red head with a blue body. The tail starts off whitish and blends to orange/red in the middle and ends in black. Females are primarily brown with faint whitish spots. The brown head has more distinct spots that can range from white to green and often connect into stripes.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION The range of Peter’s rock iguanas.

They are primarily insect and other small invertebrate eaters but will also consume smaller lizards such as anoles, and they have also been documented eating small mammals, birds and vegetation.

“Sightings of this invasive and exotic species on Sanibel began in 2006 when two were documented on the west end of the island,” he said.

The SCCF reported that their sudden appearance was not a mystery as several other exotic lizards, such as the northern curly-tailed lizard, brown basilisk, Cuban knight anole and flat-tailed gecko, were also documented on Captiva and the west end of Sanibel in a relatively short time.

Hurricane Charley in 2004 severely impacted the area, resulting in massive tree and shrub loss.

“After Charley, thousands of plants were brought in for the replanting from Homestead and the east coast where these exotic lizards are established,” Lechowicz said. “These invaders simply hitched a ride in these shipments and managed to establish in those areas.”

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION An immature Peter’s rock iguana.

Some species have expanded faster than others. Peter’s rock agama moved relatively slowly, until recently, as indicated by recent reports.

“As with documented localities of this species in Florida, it is expected to become a more commonly seen exotic lizard over time,” he said.

If you see a Peter’s rock iguana on Sanibel or Captiva, try to take a picture and note the location and email the photo and information to clechowicz@sccf.org.