Agama agama africana                                        Photo Oliver Haligon ©

The colorful African Rainbow lizard is native to Africa, but a few small populations have become established in Florida, namely in Homestead, Hollywood, Palm City, Punta Gorda in South Florida, and Sanford in central Florida. All of these populations have become established at sites near reptile dealerships, and they are thought to represent escapees or animals that have been intentionally released.

In Florida, African Rainbow lizards are found in urban areas on rocks, walls, sidewalks, rooftops and on trees. They are sit-and-wait predators and feed on ants, spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets and katydids.

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