Florida Scrub Lizard
Sceloporus woodi
A small lizard found only in Florida's ancient scrub, where open sand and scattered shrubs support hunting and basking.
Florida Scrub Lizards are endemic to central peninsular Florida and depend on dry, open scrub with patches of bare sand. Fire suppression and development allow dense vegetation to close these sunny spaces and isolate populations.
The lizards bask on sand, logs, and low trunks before darting after ants, beetles, spiders, and other small prey. Their presence signals a functioning scrub habitat maintained by natural or prescribed disturbance.
Habitat:
Pine Flatwoods and Sandhills, Scrub and Dry Prairie
Area / Range:
Central Florida
Diet:
Eats ants, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, roaches, and other small invertebrates.
Behavior:
Active on sunny sand and low woody surfaces, using short rapid runs between cover. Males defend small areas and display with head movements and body posture.
Daytime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Sunny warm mornings on open sand, fallen wood, and the lower trunks of scrub oaks.
Florida Native Status:
Florida endemic
Conservation Status:
Near Threatened; habitat loss, fragmentation, and dense unburned scrub reduce suitable open ground.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Watch from a distance, remain on marked routes, and avoid moving logs, branches, or ground cover in occupied scrub habitat.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes ants, beetles, spiders, and other small insects and indicates healthy native scrub conditions.
Property Concerns:
Causes no property damage. Clearing, grading, fire suppression, and off-road traffic can damage the habitat it needs.
Fun Fact:
- This species occurs nowhere outside Florida.
- Bare sand is essential for movement and nesting.
- Males develop brighter blue patches during breeding season.
Wildlife Laws:
Do not collect wildlife on protected land or disturb managed scrub habitat. Projects in occupied conservation areas must follow land-manager requirements and current FWC guidance.
Identification:
Small gray-brown lizard with rough scales, a dark side stripe, a lighter stripe along each side of the back, and a long tail. Adult males show blue patches along the belly and throat during breeding season.