LABELLE- Over the past few years, local residents have been spotting a species of exotic reptiles who have gone feral throughout Hendry and Glades counties. One species of brightly colored lizards with strange looking feet, have been seen slowly crossing State Road 80, climbing trees in parks, and even laying eggs in front yards. These chameleon sightings are becoming more and more common, as the population increases. However, they are not a native species.

“Chameleons are tree-dwelling lizards native to Africa, Madagascar, southern Europe, and Asia. Their feet and tails are specialized to grasp tree branches, and they walk slowly, swaying, mimicking the movements of a leaf blowing in the wind. They have large, cone-shaped eyes that rotate independently, and very long tongues that they extend rapidly to catch prey,” said Penelope Banks, a retired herpetologist and long time resident of LaBelle. “Many species can change their skin color and pattern. Males are usually more brightly colored than females, and both sexes often have casques (helmet-like ridges) on top of their heads. Six chameleon species have been found in the wild in Florida, and two are known to be breeding.”

In LaBelle, the most common species seen in recent months is the veiled chameleon. This species is native to the southwestern coastal regions of Saudi Arabia and western Yemen, where it inhabits mountainous coastal regions, inland river valleys, and agricultural lands where there is more moisture.

Veiled chameleons are voracious predators. They feed on insects, small frogs and lizards, and rarely small mammals and birds. Some of Banks studies show that locally, these exotic lizards  flourish in Florida agricultural groves, eating mostly agricultural pests (weevils, stinkbugs, and catepillars) and nonnative reptiles and amphibians (anoles, geckos, and Cuban treefrogs).

However, as the chameleons become established in the area, they begin to eat more native species.

In either areas of the U.S., where populations have been booming for many years, Veiled chameleons have been found to threaten native birds, insects, and plants. They have very high reproductive rates and can tolerate a fairly wide range of environmental conditions. Banks is concerned that this may begin to happen here in Florida as well.

Banks said, “Lately, veiled chameleons are seen breeding heavily in rural areas especially in Hendry County, and populations have seemingly increased exponentially. “

“Males typically have vertical body bands of bright gold, green, and blue mixed with yellow, orange, or black. Females are typically light green with a mottled pattern of white to gold spots on the body and light blue on the dorsal crest. In captivity, 30-60 (and even up to 85) eggs are typically laid per clutch, and 3-5 clutches may be laid annually,” Banks explained.

She reports that night-time searches using flashlights are generally the best way to detect chameleons. She often goes out with a flashlight to find them.

A few months ago, a LaBelle resident called Banks when she found a veiled chameleon laying eggs in her front yard. Banks had been out night searching, and rushed over to gather the expectant mother and her eggs. There were a total of 32 eggs laid by the lone female.

“I was shocked, and afraid my dog would eat her,” said the woman who came across the chameleon in her yard. “I called Penny Banks, because I knew she was trying to do this informal study on these things.”

Banks says, like the Burmese pythons in the Everglades, chameleons are another exotic species we should definitely keep an eye on, as other exotics have gone on to cause terrible problems for our native plants and animals.