Florida’s warm, humid climate has allowed a wide array of lizard species to thrive, creating a complex interaction of native insectivores and large, non-native omnivores. Understanding what these different lizards consume is important for appreciating their varied roles in the ecosystem.
The Diverse Diets of Florida’s Most Common Native Species
Florida’s smallest and most frequently encountered lizards, such as the native Green Anole and various species of Skinks, are primarily insectivores. These reptiles are active hunters, feeding on a wide variety of small arthropods they encounter in trees, shrubs, and leaf litter. Their diet is largely comprised of invertebrates like spiders, flies, moths, beetles, and grasshoppers. Green Anoles are known to consume almost entirely insects, acting as beneficial pest controllers in residential and natural areas.
Dietary Habits of Large Invasive Species
The diets of Florida’s large invasive lizards contrast sharply with the native insectivores, largely because of their increased body size.
Green Iguanas
Green Iguanas, which can grow quite large, are predominantly herbivorous, consuming a wide range of vegetation. Their diet includes shoots, leaves, blossoms, and fruits from plants like hibiscus, jasmine, orchids, and various garden greens. Iguanas’ tendency to consume ornamental plants, flowers, and fruit makes them a nuisance to homeowners. While juveniles may eat insects and tree snails, adult Green Iguanas occasionally consume bird eggs and dead animals.
Argentine Black and White Tegus
The Argentine Black and White Tegu is a true generalist omnivore. Tegus consume an exceptionally wide variety of food, including fruit, insects, and vertebrates, and prey on small mammals, amphibians, and other reptiles. They are known egg predators, documented raiding the nests of native species like American alligators, sea turtles, and the threatened Gopher Tortoise.
Lizards’ Role in the Florida Ecosystem
Native insectivorous lizards serve as primary insect consumers, providing natural pest control by helping to regulate the populations of flies, spiders, and beetles. Their abundance means they represent a significant energy source for higher-level predators, acting as common prey for native snakes, birds, and larger lizards. Conversely, the feeding patterns of large invasive species introduce disruptions to the ecosystem. Herbivorous Green Iguanas and omnivorous Tegus consume resources that native species rely on, leading to competition for food. The fruit-eating habits of iguanas and the seed consumption by some other non-native species can also lead to the inadvertent dispersal of invasive plant seeds, such as the Brazilian pepper, through their scat.
What Not to Feed Florida Lizards
Homeowners should avoid feeding wild lizards, as human intervention can be detrimental. Providing food scraps, such as bread or processed foods, offers little nutritional value and can lead to digestive problems or nutritional deficiencies. Feeding lizards can also cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, leading to habituation and increased nuisance behavior.
A significant danger is feeding lizards wild-caught insects, which may carry parasites or toxins, including pesticides. Toxic insects, such as fireflies and ladybugs, should also be strictly avoided, as ingesting them can be fatal to reptiles. For invasive species like the Green Iguana, feeding them can unnaturally concentrate their populations, leading to increased damage to landscaping and infrastructure.